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Science lesson plan · 7th grade (Year 8 in England) · 30 minutes

Specialised cells

Cells, genetics and evolution

CCSS NGSS.MS-LS1-2CCSS NGSS.HS-LS1-2England: KS3 Biology: Cells and organisationEngland: KS4 Combined Science: Cell biology

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Specialised 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: Plant and animal cells

Leads to: Stem cells and their medical uses

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 (Plant and animal cells). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which part of a cell controls what enters and leaves the cell? (mitochondria / cell membrane / nucleus / chloroplasts) → cell membranePrompt: Think about which parts are only in plant cells.
  2. Cells: which statement is NOT true? (Chloroplasts are found in plant cells, not animal cells. / Both plant and animal cells have a nucleus, cytoplasm and a cell membrane. / All plant cells have chloroplasts. / Bacterial cells have no nucleus.) → All plant cells have chloroplasts.Prompt: Do plant cells respire?
  3. Which part of a cell strengthens and supports a plant cell? (chloroplasts / mitochondria / cell membrane / cell wall) → cell wallPrompt: Think about which parts are only in plant cells.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a microscope image of cells and ask what students think they are looking at.
  • Share the objective: Specialised 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: Which specialised cell has no nucleus, leaving more room for haemoglobin (hemoglobin)?
  • Step 1: Red blood cells have no nucleus and are full of haemoglobin (hemoglobin) to carry oxygen.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: red blood cell
  • Answer: red blood cell
  • 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. Which specialised cell is very long to carry impulses around the body? (nerve cell (neurone) / palisade cell / root hair cell / red blood cell) → nerve cell (neurone)Prompt: What job would need this feature?
  2. Why are root hair cells long and thin? (to make food from light / to carry sugar / to protect the leaf / to give a large surface area to absorb water and minerals) → to give a large surface area to absorb water and mineralsPrompt: More surface, more absorption.

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. Specialised cells: which statement is true? (Sperm cells have no mitochondria. / All cells in the body look the same. / Root hair cells contain lots of chloroplasts. / Nerve cells carry electrical impulses.) → Nerve cells carry electrical impulses.Prompt: Match each cell's features to its job.
  2. Which specialised cell has a tail to swim? (root hair cell / red blood cell / nerve cell (neurone) / sperm cell) → sperm cellPrompt: What job would need this feature?

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: Plant and animal cells.
  • 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: Stem cells and their medical uses.
  • 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-7.

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

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Specialised cells

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    What does it mean when a cell differentiates?

    • A. It becomes specialised for a particular job.
    • B. It dies.
    • C. It loses all its DNA.
    • D. It divides into four cells.

  2. Question 2

    Specialised cells: which statement is true?

    • A. Root hair cells contain lots of chloroplasts.
    • B. Sperm cells have no mitochondria.
    • C. All cells in the body look the same.
    • D. Palisade cells contain many chloroplasts.

  3. Question 3

    Which specialised cell is near the top surface of a leaf to absorb light?

    • A. red blood cell
    • B. sperm cell
    • C. root hair cell
    • D. palisade cell

  4. Question 4

    Which specialised cell is very long to carry impulses around the body?

    • A. palisade cell
    • B. red blood cell
    • C. sperm cell
    • D. nerve cell (neurone)

  5. Question 5

    Why are root hair cells long and thin?

    • A. to give a large surface area to absorb water and minerals
    • B. to make food from light
    • C. to protect the leaf
    • D. to carry sugar

  6. Question 6

    Which specialised cell has a tail to swim?

    • A. nerve cell (neurone)
    • B. sperm cell
    • C. root hair cell
    • D. red blood cell

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Answer key: Specialised cells

  1. 1. A. It becomes specialised for a particular job.

  2. 2. D. Palisade cells contain many chloroplasts.

  3. 3. D. palisade cell

  4. 4. D. nerve cell (neurone)

  5. 5. A. to give a large surface area to absorb water and minerals

  6. 6. B. sperm cell