Exploring the Microscopic World: Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

Biology Grades High School 6:44 Video
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Lesson Description

A comparative study of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, highlighting their similarities and differences in structure and function.

Video Resource

Comparing prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells | High school biology | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 6:44
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Key Concepts

  • Cell structure
  • Prokaryotic cells
  • Eukaryotic cells
  • Organelles
  • DNA organization

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the key structural differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
  • Students will be able to describe the functions of the major components of both cell types (plasma membrane, DNA, ribosomes, cytosol).
  • Students will be able to explain the significance of organelles in eukaryotic cells.
  • Students will be able to provide examples of organisms that are composed of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about cells. Briefly review the basic cell theory. Introduce the terms 'prokaryotic' and 'eukaryotic' and explain that this lesson will focus on comparing and contrasting these two cell types.
  • Video Viewing (10 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video 'Comparing prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells'. Instruct students to take notes on the similarities and differences between the two cell types as they watch.
  • Guided Discussion (15 mins)
    Lead a class discussion based on the video. Use the discussion questions provided below to prompt student participation and ensure understanding of the key concepts. Encourage students to use their notes to support their answers.
  • Interactive Exercise: Venn Diagram (15 mins)
    Have students work individually or in small groups to create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. This can be done on paper or using online collaborative tools. Provide a list of cell structures (e.g., nucleus, ribosomes, plasma membrane, cell wall, organelles, DNA) and have students place them in the appropriate sections of the diagram (prokaryotic, eukaryotic, or both).
  • Wrap-up and Assessment (5 mins)
    Summarize the key points of the lesson. Assign the multiple choice quiz and fill in the blank quiz as a formative assessment of student learning.

Interactive Exercises

  • Venn Diagram
    Students create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, focusing on cell structures and their presence or absence in each cell type.

Discussion Questions

  • What are the four main components that all cells (both prokaryotic and eukaryotic) have in common?
  • How does the organization of DNA differ between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
  • What is an organelle, and why are organelles important in eukaryotic cells?
  • Give examples of organisms that are prokaryotic and organisms that are eukaryotic.
  • How does the presence or absence of a cell wall differ between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Skills Developed

  • Critical thinking
  • Comparative analysis
  • Note-taking
  • Scientific communication

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of the following structures is found in BOTH prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Correct Answer: Plasma Membrane

Question 2:

In prokaryotic cells, DNA is located in the:

Correct Answer: Nucleoid

Question 3:

Which type of cell is generally larger?

Correct Answer: Eukaryotic

Question 4:

Which of the following organisms is composed of prokaryotic cells?

Correct Answer: Bacteria

Question 5:

What is the function of ribosomes?

Correct Answer: Protein synthesis

Question 6:

Which of the following is a membrane-bound organelle?

Correct Answer: Mitochondria

Question 7:

What term refers to the jelly-like substance inside the cell?

Correct Answer: Cytosol

Question 8:

Eukaryotic cells typically have ______ strands of DNA.

Correct Answer: Multiple

Question 9:

Which of the following is an example of a eukaryote?

Correct Answer: Fungi

Question 10:

A structure on the outside of the cell used for rigidity is known as the:

Correct Answer: Cell Wall

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The outer layer that separates the cell's interior from its surrounding environment is the __________ __________.

Correct Answer: plasma membrane

Question 2:

__________ are structures that build the cell's proteins.

Correct Answer: ribosomes

Question 3:

The genetic material of a cell is called __________.

Correct Answer: DNA

Question 4:

The area where a prokaryotic cells DNA is bundled is called the __________.

Correct Answer: nucleoid

Question 5:

__________ cells tend to be larger than __________ cells.

Correct Answer: eukaryotic, prokaryotic

Question 6:

Animals, plants, fungi, and protists are examples of __________.

Correct Answer: eukaryotes

Question 7:

Bacteria and archaea are examples of __________.

Correct Answer: prokaryotes

Question 8:

A __________-bound organelle is a substructure of the cell.

Correct Answer: membrane

Question 9:

Cytosol plus everything else in the cell, that is the __________.

Correct Answer: cytoplasm

Question 10:

Eukaryotic DNA is housed in the __________, a membrane-bound organelle.

Correct Answer: nucleus

Educational Standards

B.LS1.1:Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins, which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells. B.LS1.2:Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms. B.LS4.1:Communicate scientific information that common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence.

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