Useful Resources and Activity Ideas for Teaching Cell Structure

Jan 26, 2012
Vicki Dennison

3D model cells are a great way to learn about cell structure - Photo: Vicki Dennison

These online resources and activity ideas offer interesting, interactive ways of teaching and learning about eukaryotic cell structure and organelles.

These resources and activities offer alternatives to the usual text book based activities used to teach the concepts of cell structure and sub-cellular organelles. The range of activities suggested are aimed at secondary school students, and encourage students to learn through a variety of visual and hands-on, creative activities, including opportunities for the use of ICT.

Activities appropriate to younger (key stage 3, UK, age 11 to 14) and older (GCSE / AS Level, age 14 to 17) students are suggested.

Online Sources of Information on Cell Structure

A good starting point for introducing cell structure within the context of organisms, organs and tissues to younger students (aged 11 to 14) can be found here.

This activity contains information about both plant and animal cells, has interactive ‘clickable’ elements within it, and ends with a short multiple choice quiz.

For older students (aged 14 to 16) a good activity to introduce the topic of eukaryotic cell structure can be found here.This animation allows models of both plant and animal cells to be explored. Each sub-cellular organelle is clearly represented within the diagrams, and can be clicked on to obtain further information.

Both of the activities above offer opportunities for students to engage with the lesson through using an interactive whiteboard.

Teachersdomain.org offers a really useful video about cell structure, organelles and protein synthesis for older students. The video uses both diagrams and electron micrographs to illustrate the different organelles.

Interactive Cell Structure Activities

The interactive ‘construct a cell’ activity, found here, is great for older students and provides information about plant, animal and bacterial cells. Each section is followed by a series of quiz questions which require students to recall the functions of the different organelles. Students can then build each type of cell from the range of organelles offered. The programme informs students if they have tried to include an organelle which should not be present, and also lets them know if they have missed any organelles which should have been included when they click the ‘done’ button.

Practical Activity – Make 3D Cells

Often, cell structure is taught using two dimensional diagrams from text books and worksheets. This can lead to students lacking clear understanding of the three dimensional nature of cells. The following activities allow students to create 3D models, reinforcing the knowledge gained through other activities in a fun and creative way.

For younger students plasticine (or a similar modelling clay) of assorted colours can be used to construct 3D models of both plant and animal cells. Working in teams the students should begin by making the different organelles which are needed within the cell they are making. The following colour suggestions could be used:

Mitochondria - Red
Chloroplast - Green
Vacuole - Blue
Nucleus - Brown

Once the relevant organelles have been made, taking into account their different shapes and relative sizes, they can be formed into a cell by adding the cytoplasm, call membrane and cell wall (if required):

Cytoplasm - Yellow
Cell Membrane - Brown
Cell wall - Green

The pre-prepared organelles should be wrapped in the yellow cytoplasm, and the whole cell shaped into a ball (for animal cells) or a cuboid (for plant cells). The cell membrane and cell wall should be rolled out into thin sheets which are then wrapped around the outside of the shaped cell models.

Once the cells have been completed, they can be sliced through with a knife in order to show a cross section similar to those seen in the traditional text book representations. It may be best for the teacher to perform this step for safety reasons. In some cases, cutting through the cell will not reveal any of the organelles. This is not a bad thing, as it illustrates the point that the organelles are dispersed throughout the cell. Cutting the cell a second time should reveal some of the organelles within.

For older students this worksheet produced by BiologyMad.com provides instructions for making organelles using a range of craft supplies such as pipe cleaners, paperclips, rubber bands and buttons. Excellent information about the structure of the organelles is provided, along with questions relating to their function. This activity enables students to review their learning in a truly creative way.