Author:
Bonnie Waltz, Deanna Mayers, Tracy Rains
Subject:
Life Science, Biology
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Level:
High School
Grade:
9, 10, 11, 12
Tags:
  • Biology
  • Cell Membrane
  • Cellular Transport
  • Plasma Membrane
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
    Language:
    English
    Media Formats:
    Downloadable docs, Interactive, Text/HTML, Video

    Cellular Structure (Plasma Membrane) and Function

    Cellular Structure (Plasma Membrane) and Function

    Overview

    In this seminar you will create images of the biologically important structures of the cell membrane. The pictures will be translated to function. You will practice the terminology of these structures to associate their importance in the function of the cell membrane. The inquiry lab will allow you to design a model of the limitations of cell growth due to the cell membrane using water balloons.

    Standards

    BIO.A.2.2.3 Compare and contrast the structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in organisms.

    BIO.A.4.2.1 Explain how organisms maintain homeostasis (e.g., thermoregulation, water regulation, oxygen regulation).

    BIO.A.4.1.3 Describe how endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and other membrane-bound cellular organelles facilitate transport of materials within cells.

    BIO.A.4.1.2 Compare and contrast the mechanisms that transport materials across the plasma membrane (i.e., passive transport -- diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion; active transport -- pumps, endocytosis, exocytosis).

    BIO.A.4.1.1 Describe how the structure of the plasma membrane allows it to function as a regulatory structure and/or protective barrier for a cell.

    Engage

    Introductory warm-up activity.

    Check out this 1 minute video to learn about the structure and function of a plasma membrane. There are many words that identify parts. Your job is to focus on the structure! Create a chart of drawings that represent the structures or parts of the cell membrane. You can use this as a guide throughout the seminar to learn these many terms.

    Explore

    Read or watch the resources to learn about this concept, then do the practice activity.

     

    Read

    Watch

    Do

    Read this article from Khan Academy to answer the question of why your cell membranes have a consistency similar to salad oil!

    Check out this video description of the cell membrane structure. Be sure to use your guide from Engage to add more information about the structures in the membrane.


     

    It all about the TERMS. Once we can recognize the structures, we can move on to determining the combined function of  the cells that make up our body.

    Check out this quizlet to practice the TERMS!

     

    Explore More

    For a more indepth look at the cell membrane, try this article.

    Explain

    Discuss your ideas / opinions / understandings.

    Directions:

     

    • Choose a biological part of the cell membrane and examine how the shape or structure or placement of the part determines its function in the cell membrane. Parts to choose from: phospholipid, integral proteins, peripheral protein, cholesterol, glycolipid and glycoprotein. Share with at least one person and provide feedback- one praise and one push (to do better).

    Evaluate

    Now it is time to self-check how much you have learned about the this topic.  If you do not know as much as you thought, go back to the “Explore” section of this seminar and reread, rewatch, or redo the activities listed.  See your facilitator if you have questions.

    Click here to take the quiz online. You do not have to log into the quiz site in order to take this quiz. If a window pops up asking you to sign up for the quiz site, just close the sign-up window and start your quiz.

    Elaborate

    This is a task or project where you can show what you know.

    Directions:

    Choose from an inquiry lab in which you will work more on the lab design to explore the reason behind microscopic cells. Have you ever wondered why we are made of 75 trillion cells instead of a few hundred large cells? You guessed it - must have something to do with the cell membrane!  

    This the independent  inquiry lab or a guided inquiry lab that  will provide some structure for the procedure, and your focus is on the data collection to determine the importance of the cell membrane in maintaining size and function.

    This is the guided inquiry lab

    Express

    Complete this wrap-up activity where you reflect on your learning.  

    Directions:

    Time to reflect: Determine the terms that were the most difficult to remember.  Why do you think you found these terms difficult?