Saturday 12 October 2013

Cells made simple

Back in May while in Canada, we visited the Toronto science fair. 
A day of amazing science activities.

 I loved this activity, making a cell using lots of craft materials.

 
 Nucleus - represented by half of a polysterene ball.
The nucleus is the brain of the cell, every eukaryotic cell has one and it contains the genetic material (DNA).

DNA - represented by coiled pipe cleaners.
This molecule contains all the information the cell needs to grow, 
reproduce and carry out its specific jobs.

 Mitochondria- represented by artificial red petals.
The energy needed in the cell is made in the mitochondria.

 Microfilaments - represented by wooden cocktail sticks.
These proteins are part of the skeleton of the cell and 
can be used to move the cell.

Microtubules - represented by drinking straws.
These proteins are part of the transport system inside the cell. They work like roadways to transport stuff from one place to another in the cell.

 Molecules - represented by sequins.
The cell always has lots of free molecules in it's cytoplasm, some of them have jobs there and some are just travelling from one location to another.

 Ribosomes - represented by white petals.
In the cell, ribosomes are used to make proteins.

The finished cells...
 The circular cocci cell.

 

 The rod shaped bacillus cell

 Back home in the UK, we did some follow up work about cells.
We used this science kit 'Inside the cell'.

 We identified the key components of the cell and 
then compared animal and plant cells.

 We finished off our learning (for now) by making a DNA model.

 Pairing the bases together.

The finished model!

Another great activity from the Toronto science fair is the pollinator game.

11 comments:

  1. What a great idea. This is one I will be using. Thank you.

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  2. There is so much that makes up something as, what I thought was as simple, as one single cell. Cool DNA model :)

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  3. That looks like fun and educational all at the same time...my type of learning. I doubt my boys would know all of those type of cells...and their mum :)

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  4. That is just totally awesome!! Fun and learning combined!

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  5. awesome! I have to try with my nephew!
    kiki

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  6. I thought this was going to be about how to use my new iphone. Hahahaha! What a totally cool project! I am impressed!!

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  7. What a great idea, and a good way to make learning more fun!

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  8. Love this activity! DNA was discovered by building a model to see what pieces fit together. What is the book the children are following?
    I wrote about the discovery of DNA in a blog post http://newgrandmas.com/19255/rememberwhen/technology/who-discovered-dna

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  9. What a unique and fun way of learning!

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  10. so, so cool! I especially love the cells!

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