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A Cell Structure

A Cell Structure

Content Standards

This lesson focuses on understanding of cell structure and function as the fundamental unit of life. Students will investigate the organization of plant and animal cells, identify organelles, and analyze their roles in maintaining life processes.

Performance Standards

Students will be able to:

  • Differentiate between plant cells and animal cells. 
  • Identify key organelles (nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, mitochondria, chloroplasts, vacuole, etc.) and explain their functions. 
  • Demonstrate how cells act as the building blocks of living organisms. 
  • Explain the importance of cells in forming tissues, organs, and systems.

Alignment Standards

Reference: NCERT  Book Alignment 

The lesson is aligned with the NCERT Grade 8 Science Book-Chapter 2:  The Invisible Living World – Beyond Our Naked Eye, Section : 1 “A Cell Structure”.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • Describe the cell as the structural and functional unit of life.
  • Identify major cell organelles and their functions.
  • Differentiate between plant and animal cells using structural features.
  • Demonstrate cell structure using 3D XR interactive visualization in PictoBlox.
  • Relate the importance of cells to the functioning of tissues, organs, and organ systems.

Prerequisites (Prior Knowledge)

  • Students should have basic knowledge of living vs. non-living things.
  • Familiarity with simple body parts (organ, tissue).
  • Understanding that the body is made up of smaller units working together.

Introduction

In this session, students will explore how every living organism is made up of tiny building blocks called cells. They will understand why cells are called the “structural and functional units of life” and discover the differences between plant and animal cells.

Timeline (40 Minutes)

TitleApproximate DurationProcedureReference Material
Engage6
  • What do you think makes up our body and every living organism?

Activity:
Show a picture of a brick wall and ask, “What makes up this wall?” 

Then show the human body and ask, “What makes up your body?”

Connect the idea of bricks in walls to cells in living beings.

Slides

Explore10

1 Provide students with diagrams of plant and animal cells. Ask them to observe and identify visible parts.
 – Provide prompts:
   • Which part is in the plant cell but not in the animal cell?
   • What do you think each part does?

2 Students discuss in pairs and share answers.

Slides

Explain10

Teacher Explanation:
1. Definition of a cell. – Key organelles and their functions 

  1. nucleus,
  2. mitochondria,
  3. vacuole,
  4. chloroplast

2.Comparison between plant and animal cells. 3. Teacher highlights the importance of each organelle using labelled diagrams.

Slides and Virtual Lab

Evaluate10

Students will attempt the Self Evaluation task on LMS.

Virtual Lab

Extend5

Scenario Thinking:

 “Imagine if your cells didn’t have a nucleus. What would happen?”

Discuss how cell structure and functions ensure survival of living organisms.

Slides

A Cell Structure

Introduction

Have you ever wondered what makes up every plant, animal, or even your own body? The secret lies in the cell — a tiny unit of life that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Just like bricks build a house, cells build our body. Some organisms are made of only one cell, while others, like humans, are made of trillions! 

The discovery of cells opened the door to understanding the invisible living world that exists beyond what we can see.

Theory

1. What is a Cell?

  • The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life.
  • All living things are made of cells.
  • Cells are too small to be seen without a microscope.

2. Discovery of the Cell

  • Robert Hooke (1665) first observed cells in a thin slice of cork using a simple microscope.
  • Anton van Leeuwenhoek later observed living cells (tiny microorganisms) under his improved microscope.

3. Types of Organisms Based on Cells

  • Unicellular organisms: Made up of a single cell (e.g., Amoeba, Paramecium, Bacteria).
  • Multicellular organisms: Made up of many cells (e.g., Plants, Animals, Humans).

4. Structure of a Typical Cell

A cell has several important parts:

  • Cell membrane: The outer covering that controls movement of substances in and out.
  • Cytoplasm: Jelly-like fluid inside the cell where chemical reactions take place.
  • Nucleus: The control center of the cell, containing genetic material (DNA).
  • Cell wall (only in plants): Provides shape and support.
  • Chloroplasts (only in plants): Contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis.
  • Mitochondria: The powerhouse of the cell, producing energy.

5. Why Cells are Called the “Invisible Living World”

  • Cells are microscopic; they cannot be seen without microscopes.
  • Despite being invisible, they carry out all life functions — breathing, digestion, reproduction, and energy production.
  • The study of cells is called cytology.

Vocabulary

This is the list of vocabulary terms used throughout the lesson.

  • Cell: The basic structural and functional unit of life in all living organisms.
  • Microscope: An instrument used to observe tiny objects like cells that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
  • Unicellular: Organisms that are made up of a single cell, such as amoeba and bacteria.
  • Multicellular: Organisms made up of many cells, such as humans, plants, and animals.
  • Nucleus: The part of the cell that controls all activities and contains the genetic material (DNA).
  • Cytoplasm: A jelly-like substance inside the cell where most cellular activities and chemical reactions take place.
  • Cell Membrane: The thin outer boundary of the cell that controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
  • Cell Wall: A rigid outer layer found only in plant cells that provides structural support and protection.
  • Chloroplast: A green organelle present in plant cells that carries out photosynthesis by using sunlight to make food.
  • Mitochondria: Known as the “powerhouse of the cell,” it produces energy required for various cell functions.
  • Cytology: The branch of biology that deals with the study of cells, their structure, and their functions.

A Cell Structure

Category

Introduction

Welcome to the Cell Structure Lab, an immersive XR experience designed to help students explore the microscopic world of cells. This activity provides a detailed look at the basic components of a plant cell, allowing learners to understand the role of the cell wall, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Through 3D visuals, zoom animations, voice explanations, and interactive quizzes, students gain a clear understanding of the cell as the fundamental unit of life.

Key Features

  • 3D immersive model of a plant cell showing all major parts.
  • Voice narration + on-screen text explaining each organelle’s role.
  • Zoom-in and highlight animations for nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell wall.
  • Interactive controls (Next/Reload buttons) for step-by-step exploration.
  • Quiz mode at the end: students click on correct cell parts based on questions.

Step-by-Step Procedure for VR Experience

 Step 1: Enter the Virtual Lab

  • Students enter the 3D XR environment and see a plant cell model and a welcome message and narration explain the aim of the activity.

 Step 2: Exploring the Nucleus

  • Students click the Next button, The animation zooms in on the nucleus, highlighting it.
  • They will observe that the nucleus is the control center of the cell. It stores genetic information (DNA) and directs all cell activities.

Step 3: Learn about Cytoplasm

  • On clicking Next, the cytoplasm is highlighted and glows.
  • Narration + text panel: The cytoplasm is the jelly-like fluid that fills the cell. It supports and protects organelles, and is the site of many chemical reactions.

Step 4: Exploring the Cell Wall

  • Students click Next again.
  • The outer cell wall is zoomed in and highlighted. 
  • Narration + text panel: “The cell wall is a rigid outer covering found in plant cells. It provides shape, strength, and protection.”

Step 5: Interactive Quiz

  • After exploring all three parts, a quiz begins.
  • Students are asked questions such as:
  • Click on the part of the cell that stores genetic information.
  • Which part provides shape and protection?
  • Which part acts as the fluid medium for organelles?

Students must click on the correct structure (Nucleus, Cytoplasm, or Cell Wall) to complete the quiz

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