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Science lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 30 minutes

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Cells, genetics and evolution

CCSS NGSS.HS-LS1-2England: GCSE Combined Science: Cell biology

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Match cell parts to the jobs they do

Leads to: Selective breeding, genetic engineering and gene editing

Materials: Microscope images or slides, Cell diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Match cell parts to the jobs they do). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which part of a cell matches this description: there are many of them in muscle cells? (mitochondria / cytoplasm / permanent vacuole / ribosomes) → mitochondriaPrompt: Think about which part controls, which part makes energy available and which part lets things in and out.
  2. What does the nucleus do? (contains the DNA that carries genetic instructions / filled with cell sap to keep the cell firm / contain chlorophyll to absorb light / there are many of them in muscle cells) → contains the DNA that carries genetic instructionsPrompt: Match the name to its job, not to where it is.
  3. Muscle cells in a sprinter's legs contain huge numbers of one structure. Which? (chloroplasts / vacuoles / mitochondria / cell walls) → mitochondriaPrompt: Muscles need a lot of energy to contract.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a microscope image of cells and ask what students think they are looking at.
  • Share the objective: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Where is this found: a single loop of DNA not in a nucleus?
  • Step 1: Prokaryotes (bacteria) have no nucleus: their DNA is a single loop, often with extra rings called plasmids.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: prokaryotic cells only
  • Answer: prokaryotic cells only
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Where is this found: a single loop of DNA not in a nucleus? (prokaryotic cells only / eukaryotic cells only / both types of cell) → prokaryotic cells onlyPrompt: “Pro-karyote” means “before nucleus”.
  2. A bacterial cell is about 2 µm long and a cheek cell is about 60 µm. How many times longer is the cheek cell? (120 times / 3 times / 300 times / 30 times) → 30 timesPrompt: Divide the larger size by the smaller one.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. A bacterial cell is about 2 µm long and a cheek cell is about 60 µm. How many times longer is the cheek cell? (30 times / 300 times / 120 times / 3 times) → 30 timesPrompt: Divide the larger size by the smaller one.
  2. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes: which statement is NOT true? (Plant cells are prokaryotic. / Eukaryotic cells keep their DNA inside a nucleus. / Some bacteria have a flagellum to move. / Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have ribosomes.) → Plant cells are prokaryotic.Prompt: Do bacteria have mitochondria?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Match cell parts to the jobs they do.
  • Use concrete materials: microscope images or slides.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Selective breeding, genetic engineering and gene editing.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-9.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Where is this found: a single loop of DNA not in a nucleus?

    • A. prokaryotic cells only
    • B. eukaryotic cells only
    • C. both types of cell

  2. Question 2

    Why can antibiotics kill bacteria without harming human cells?

    • A. They target structures or processes that only bacterial cells have
    • B. Bacteria have a nucleus that absorbs the drug
    • C. Antibiotics only work outside the body
    • D. Human cells have no ribosomes

  3. Question 3

    Prokaryotes and eukaryotes: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Some bacteria have a flagellum to move.
    • B. Eukaryotic cells keep their DNA inside a nucleus.
    • C. Plant cells are prokaryotic.
    • D. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have ribosomes.

  4. Question 4

    Where is this found: plasmids (small rings of DNA)?

    • A. prokaryotic cells only
    • B. eukaryotic cells only
    • C. both types of cell

  5. Question 5

    A bacterial cell is about 2 µm long and a cheek cell is about 60 µm. How many times longer is the cheek cell?

    • A. 120 times
    • B. 300 times
    • C. 3 times
    • D. 30 times

  6. Question 6

    Where is this found: ribosomes?

    • A. prokaryotic cells only
    • B. eukaryotic cells only
    • C. both types of cell

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Answer key: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

  1. 1. A. prokaryotic cells only

  2. 2. A. They target structures or processes that only bacterial cells have

  3. 3. C. Plant cells are prokaryotic.

  4. 4. A. prokaryotic cells only

  5. 5. D. 30 times

  6. 6. C. both types of cell