The Reproduction of Cells... and Mitosis

11/27/2012

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   Cells, at least once in their "lifetime", reproduce. cells don't reproduce like humans or platns do... the reproduce throught series of steps. The first step to the reproduction of a cell is called the interphase. The interphase in generally where the cell grow to its mature size and starts and makes a copy of its DNA. There are a few other steps but just to get on topic, some cells use mitosis to reproduce. Mitosis, even when used, still has some steps to it. Its basically the same thing. The first step the cell makes a copy of its DNA and grows. The second step the DNA starts to form into little spindle and makes their way toward the center of the cell. After a while, the cell enters the next phase where the spindle go to 2 opposite sides of the cell and pull to rip the cell. After that the cell is ripped and a new membrane forms creating a new cell!
     It is hard to imagine what life would be like without cells... most likely no life at all! Sometimes it is also hard to imagine that things (cells) that tiny can exist. We always just have to, sometime, think about little living, tiny living, things inside us. They are just they help us saty healthy and strong!
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Animal, Plant, and Bacteria Cells

11/15/2012

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     Cells are the smallest functional living unit of all things. We can't see cells with the naked eye because of how small they are but with micropscopes; scientists are able to look at and find things inside cells. 
     One thing plant cells have that animal cells don't have is a cell wall. A cell wall acts like a barrier between cells and what is outside of the cell. Both animal and plant cells do contain ER or Endoplasmic Recticulum. ER is like a tube in the cell that transports things throughout the cell. Plant and animal cells are very differnt from each other but have many thiings in common. Some plant cell parts are a little different because of what plant do daily, like photosynthesis! Some parts are different because of what they need to do in order to help the plant survive. One thing that is cool about plant and animal cells is that they have most of the same parts just they are located in different places. For example, like buttons on a phone, on different phones the same button is located in a different spot! Of course, now-a-days, we don't really "have buttons" because of all these new iPhones coming out!
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The Edible Cell Project

11/6/2012

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     These past few days in science were some very fun ones. This past week, in science class, we got to study cells. To add some fun with the study of cells, Mrs. Poole allowed each table (4 people) to create an edible cell. I was so excited!!! My group (table 7) all took part in baking, bringing, and supplying parts to create our edible cell. I had a blast. oUr cell was made out of vanilla flavored cake. Each person brought in sweets and candies to build our edible cell. We labled our cell parts with tooth picks and answered questions from Mrs. Poole about what each part in a cell does. Then, Mrs. Poole took a picture of the cell and gave us our "result
     To be more focused ont he subject, I didn't really learn from this project. I loved doing it because it allowed each table to get creative in so many different ways, but I didn't learn as much as I'd like to. I think, in the future, that the edible cell project shouldbe done close to the finishing of the unit of cells and living things. I think this because it allows students to reflect on allthey've learned throught the unit and put  it altogether to create an edible cell. Thsi project was a blast for me, but I wouldhave prefered it to be pushed back so other and more important things couldbe accomplished. 
     The edible cell was one fun group project for me and I hope the science teachers continue to dO it. After all, this project was allowing more and more student to find fun projects in educational lessons. This project was a great and fun project I hope to do again with something else in science. Even though I did not learn much, there is always time for fun. Even if its at the end of a project or lesson. Good luck upcoming-seventh graders! I hope you get to enjoy this project. 
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