Cells are the building blocks of all living things. The term ‘cell’ was first coined by Robert Hooke in the 16th century when he was studying different objects using the newly-invented microscopes. The following activities are designed to help students understand the difference between and functions of both plant and animal cells.
Illustrated spider map of cells vocabulary: photosynthesis, microscope, chlorophyll, DNA, and respiration
Storyboard Text
Photosynthesis
CO2
O2
Respiration
DNA
A chemical reaction used by plants. Plants absorb energy from the sun and use this to react with carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen
H2O
Sunlight
Respiration is different chemical reactions used to produce energy from glucose, which involves oxygen and produces carbon dioxide.
DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid. A double-helical molecule which carries our genetic information.
Microscope
Cells Vocabulary
Chlorophyll
An instrument used to see objects that can’t be seen using the naked eye. It contains a series of lenses which magnify the small object.
A green pigment found in chloroplasts of plants. It is essential in photosynthesis as it absorbs energy from sunlight.