Station 1
The nucleus is pointed out in both cell diagrams. The nucleus is an organelle in cells that is referred to as the control center of the cell. This is because it contains all of the cell’s DNA and coded instructions for making protein and other important molecules. Prokaryotic cells have DNA that is not contained in a nucleus. Eukaryotic cells have DNA within a nucleus.
1. Which image is a prokaryotic cell, Image 1 or Image 2?
2. Draw the image of the prokaryotic cell here:
Station 2
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are different in the way the inside of the cell is organized. Eukaryotic cells contain several different organelles, each with their own membrane, to keep its contents separate from the rest of the cell. Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane-bound organelles. Image 1 is a eukaryotic cell and image 2 is a prokaryotic cell.
3. Fill in the Venn diagram to compare and contrast the types of organelles found in prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, and both.
Organelles found in eukaryotic cells Organelles found in prokaryotic cells
4. Which cell is more organized and complex, eukaryotic or prokaryotic?
5. Which cell is simple compared to the other, eukaryotic or prokaryotic?
Station 3
Plant and animal cells are both eukaryotic, meaning that they have a nucleus with a membrane, but the two cells also have their own differences. Both plant cells and animal cells have cell membranes, but plant cells have an additional organelle surrounding the cell membrane that animals do not have.
6. What is the name of this structure that surrounds the cell membrane in plant cells only?
7. What biomolecule makes up this organelle, giving the cell structure and support?(Hint: This biomolecule is also a source of energy).
Station 4
Plant and animals cells have different methods of obtaining energy. Plants use energy from the sun and convert it to energy they can use in photosynthesis, which occurs in the organelle called the chloroplast. Animals break down sugars to release energy stored in bonds in a process called cellular respiration, which occurs in the mitochondrion. Since plants and animals have different methods of obtaining energy, they have different organelles that specialize in their method of getting energy.
8. Which image is a plant cell, Image 1 or Image 2?
9. Which image is an animal cell, Image 1 or Image 2?
Station 5
In addition to the differences from Station 3 & 4, plant and animal cells also differ in that plant cells have a large central vacuole, while an animal cell has a few smaller ones.
10. Which image shows the diagram of a plant cell, Image 1 or Image 2?
11. Draw the diagram of the plant cell with the central vacuole to illustrate how large it is. Label all organelles you draw in your picture.