Eyes Without a Face: Stem Cell Research

1. Case Study: Students to read an article ‘Eyes without a Face – Stem cell research and corneal implants’, and prepare a group consultation (5-6 students per group) involving discussion of the following topics and the possible conclusion to the case:

a. Stem cell function: differentiate adult and embryonic

b. Corneal-limbus stem cells — their function and use in transplants

c. Amniotic membrane use in cornea transplantation

d. Cornea transplant success and failure

e. Concerns with stem cell use in cornea transplants

2. Students will conduct online research to find out the possible outcome of the case study. Groups are to post their findings and conclusion in the Health Science blog & each student is to reflect the learning point from the other group

Biological Drawings: Spot the ERRORs

Try to spot the errors in the biological drawings.

http://www.utas.edu.au/sciencelinks/exdesign/flash/drawing.swf

DNA Assignment

Create a Keynote presentation to demonstrate understanding of DNA and its applications in benefiting human life (maximum 5 slides).

Format:

Slide 1: History of DNA research

Slide 2 & 3: Basic DNA structures

Slide 4 & 5: Uses in technology (applications) E.g., Genetic engineering, Forensics, DNA nanotechnology, etc.

Deadline: 26th Jan, Tuesday (by 8am)

Note:

1. Include all your group members' names in Keynote slide 1

2. Update your 3 IPW articles by 25th Jan, Monday (12pm)

5 Kingdoms of Living Things.

Please visit the website for information on the 5 kingdoms of living things.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/5-kingdoms-of-living-things.html

1. Kingdom Monera

2. Kingdom Protista

3. Kingdom Fungi

4. Kingdom Plantae

5. Kingdom Animalia

DNA Extraction at HOME!

Episode 1: Introduction to DNA

Episode 2: Extracting Strawberry DNA at HOME!

Mr. Low

Microscope: Use and Care

Please watch this video before Tuesday (19 Jan 2010) practical lesson at the Biology Lab (Level 1).

Mr. Low

The History of Cell Theory

An interesting article on the Historical Perspective of Cell Theory.

For reading purpose only: http://www.nature.com/ncb/journal/v1/n1/full/ncb0599_E13.html

Mr. Low

Interactive Websites for Learning (Animal & Plant Cell)

1. CELLS alive! represents 30 years of capturing film and computer-enhanced images of living cells and organisms for education and medical research.

CELLS alive! Interactive Animal and Plant Cell: http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model.htm

2. PurposeGames.com is a web site for educational learning and having fun at the same time.

Interactive Game on Cell Organelles: http://www.purposegames.com/game/153

Mr. Low

Root Hair Cells

What are the organelles found in a root hair cell?

Nucleus, cell wall, cell membrane, large central vacuole, cytoplasm.

What are the function of the organelles?

The nucleus controls all cellular activities. The cell membrane allows water and mineral salts to enter the cell. The cell sap stores the water and the mineral salts. The cell wall is to give the cell its shape.

Why are the organelles important to the cell?

Because without them, the cell cannot transport the water and nutrients the plant needs to survive.

What are the structures of the cell?

The cell can absorb water and mineral salts for the plant.

Nutrient uptake is maximized in young roots by root hairs. These projections of

single root cells extend into the surrounding soil and provide a much higher surface

area/volume ratio in contact with the nutrient source.

Jun Hui, Reuven, Arthur, Hakeem, Issac

Green Plant Cells

What are the organelles found in the cells?

Cell Membrane, Cytoplasm, Nucleus, Nuclear membrane, Endoplasmic Reticulum Ribosomes, Golgi Bodies, Mitochondria, Lysosomes Vacuoles, Cell Wall, Chloroplasts.

List the structural features of

the cells.

Plant cells are easier to identify because they have a protective structure called a cell wall made of cellulose. Plants have the wall; anim

als do not. Plants also have organelles like the chloroplast (the things that make them green) or large water-filled vacuoles.

What are the functions of these organelles?

Cell Membrane- forms the outer boundary of the cell and allows only certain materials to move into or out of the cell

Cytoplasm - a gel-like material inside the cell; it contains water and nutrients for the cell

Nucleus - directs the activity of a cell; it contains chromosomes with the DNA

Nuclear Membrane - separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm

Endoplasmic Reticulum - moves materials around in the cell

Ribosomes - make protein for the cell

Golgi Bodies - are used for packaging and secreting of energy

Mitochondria - break down food and release energy to the cell

Lysosomes - are chemicals used to digest waste

Vacuoles - are storage areas for the cell

Some organelles are found only in Plant cells. These organelles are:

Cell Wall - provides structure to the plant cell

Chloroplasts - contain chlorophyll that is make food for the plant cell

Why are these functions of the organelles important to the living cells?

Each of the organelles of a plant cell has specific functions. without which the cell cannot operate properly.

Credits: http://www.biology4kids.com/files/cell_main.html,http://www.fortbend.k12.tx.us/mastersonline/ft_bend_isd/6306/qvms/johnson/cell_part.htm,http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/CURR/science/sciber00/7th/cells/sciber/orgtable.htm, http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/images/aqaaddsci_06.gif

Muscle cells

Muscle cells have nucleus, rough and smooth ER, golgi body, ribosomes, mitochondria, cytoskeleton(http://answers.yahoo/question/index?qid=20071001040405AA3VW5J). These are all organelles. The nucleus controls all the activities of the cell; the rough ER begins to synthesis a protein which goes to the secretory pathway(http://en wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoplasmic_reticulum); the function of the mitochondria is to produce energy(www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/mitochondria_functions); the smooth ER is connected to the nuclear envelope and contains an enzyme which converts glucose-6-phosphate to glucose; the golgi body processes and packages macromolecules; ribosomes are tiny spherical bodies that help make proteins; The cytoskeleton helps to maintain the cell shape and allow movement of the cell organelles as well as cell locomotion and muscle fibre contraction(http://cellsalive.com/cells/cytoskel.htm).

Done by: Roy, Jeremy, Ilya, Fatin and Norul

Red Blood Cells

1)What are the organelles found in the cell?

They are packed full of a special substance called hemoglobin(Hgb), a complex molecule composed of protein and iron.

2)List the structural features of the cells?

Red blood cells have a unique shape and inner components that allow them to efficiently transport oxygen and direct the elimination of carbon-dioxide. They have a biconcave discs, having a depressed center on both sides. These depressed centers allow the cells to have more cell membrane surface which can be exposed to diffusing oxygen while transiting the lungs. This structure also allows them to be more flexible when "negotiating tight passengers". They have a flexible nature that allows them to bend and bounce back to their original shape. This comes in handy when they must squeeze through the minute capillaries alleyways between cells in the tissues.

3)What are the function of these organelles?

The function of this organelle is to pick up oxygen and hold on to it until it reaches parts of the body that has low concentration in oxygen and then it releases the oxygen to diffuse into local tissues.

4)Why are there no other organelles in the red blood cells other than hemoglobin?

It is beause they need more space to contain more hemoglobin which is used to carry more oxygen thus there are no other organelles.

iProject Instructions

1. Please kindly access all iProject documents (My Preliminary Ideas Form, Sample PI & Literature Review Form) from this link: https://sites.google.com/a/s2010.sst.edu.sg/ipw-programme/ This will be the Official iProject website. Bookmark!
Note: Login before accessing the site.

2. Kindly send your completed documents (e.g., 1 PI Form & 3 Review Forms) to iProject class 104 sharing folder by next Monday (18 Jan), 12pm. You will learn how to execute this task during Wednesday (13 Jan) ICT lesson.

Thanks.

Cell theory Question 4

What are the categories of cells you can find from the reading?

Cell theory Question 2

Who are the 3 scientists that led to the development of the Cell Theory?

Cell theory Question 3

How are the components in the cells identified after the development of the Cell Theory and what are the components identified?

Cell theory Question 1

How does the cell theory explain the relationship between living things and cells?

Post 2

Post 3 questions that you will find interesting with regards to Health Science under comments.

Post 1

Input your key understanding of CELLS under comments.