INTRODUCTION Students will explore how cells divide and multiply (a process called mitosis) for growth and repair.
SUGGESTED TIME ALLOWANCE
60 minutes
OBJECTIVES
Students will:
use vocabulary related to mitosis. learn how cells reproduce.MATERIALS
Activity worksheet: Division to Multiply (http://www.sfscience.com/admin/pdf/6A2_1BLM.htm) Website: Division to Multiply (http://www.sfscience.com/english/grade_6/unit_A/chap_2/act_1/1.htm) Website: The Cell Cycle (http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/tutorials/cell_cycle/cells3.html)PROCEDURES
Introduce key vocabulary: cell, cell division, chromosome, DNA, mitosis. Have students visit Division to Multiply and take notes in preparation for a class discussion. Ask students to complete the Division to Multiply worksheet. Point out that all the required information can be found at The Cell Cycle website. Have students work individually or with partners. Arrange a time when students can share their findings.ASSESSMENT
Use students' activity sheet answers and notes to assess their understanding of mitosis. Students should be able to tell why cells divide and what happens during the four main phases of mitosis.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
In Anatomy of a Splinter (http://www.cellsalive.com/ouch.htm) students will see how cells help the body repair and grow. Have students print out and label a favorite illustration from the site to share with the class. Have students visit Onion Root Tips (http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html) where they will be challenged to determine the amount of time used for different phases of the cell cycle.