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Science lesson plan · 12th grade (Year 13 in England) · 30 minutes

Membrane structure, protein channels and bulk transport

Cells, genetics and evolution

CCSS NGSS.HS-LS1-2CCSS NGSS.HS-LS1-3England: A level Biology: Cell membranes (extension)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Membrane structure, protein channels and bulk transport.

  • 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: Diffusion, osmosis or active transport?

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

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 (Diffusion, osmosis or active transport?). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which process is this: oxygen entering the blood in the lungs? (diffusion / osmosis / active transport) → diffusionPrompt: Is it water specifically? Is it going against the gradient?
  2. A poison stops respiration in root cells. Which process stops first? (active transport of mineral ions / osmosis of water / all three equally / diffusion of oxygen) → active transport of mineral ionsPrompt: Only one process needs energy from respiration.
  3. Transport in cells: which statement is true? (Water moves by osmosis from a concentrated to a dilute solution. / Osmosis needs energy from respiration. / Diffusion is faster when the gradient is steeper. / Active transport only happens in plants.) → Diffusion is faster when the gradient is steeper.Prompt: Which process needs energy?

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a microscope image of cells and ask what students think they are looking at.
  • Share the objective: Membrane structure, protein channels and bulk transport. 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: Is this passive or active transport: a gland cell releasing hormone in vesicles (exocytosis)?
  • Step 1: Active transport and bulk transport use energy from ATP.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: active (uses ATP)
  • Answer: active (uses ATP)
  • 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. Is this passive or active transport: a gland cell releasing hormone in vesicles (exocytosis)? (passive (no ATP needed) / active (uses ATP)) → active (uses ATP)Prompt: Does it go down a gradient by itself?
  2. Why is the cell membrane described as a "fluid mosaic"? (Phospholipids move freely and proteins are scattered through them like tiles / It is a rigid wall of cellulose / Its proteins never move / It is made of liquid water) → Phospholipids move freely and proteins are scattered through them like tilesPrompt: Think about both words: fluid and mosaic.

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. Is this passive or active transport: a white blood cell engulfing a bacterium (endocytosis)? (passive (no ATP needed) / active (uses ATP)) → active (uses ATP)Prompt: Does it go down a gradient by itself?
  2. Membranes: which statement is true? (Phospholipid tails are attracted to water. / Exocytosis releases substances from a cell in vesicles. / Facilitated diffusion moves substances against their gradient. / Large proteins pass through the membrane by simple diffusion.) → Exocytosis releases substances from a cell in vesicles.Prompt: Which processes need ATP?

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: Diffusion, osmosis or active transport?.
  • 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

  • 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-12.

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

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Membrane structure, protein channels and bulk transport

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Membranes: which statement is true?

    • A. Large proteins pass through the membrane by simple diffusion.
    • B. Facilitated diffusion uses carrier or channel proteins but no ATP.
    • C. Phospholipid tails are attracted to water.
    • D. Facilitated diffusion moves substances against their gradient.

  2. Question 2

    Is this passive or active transport: facilitated diffusion of glucose through a channel or carrier protein?

    • A. passive (no ATP needed)
    • B. active (uses ATP)

  3. Question 3

    Why can oxygen cross the membrane easily but glucose needs a protein?

    • A. Glucose dissolves in fat
    • B. Oxygen is small and non-polar; glucose is larger and polar
    • C. Oxygen is too big for proteins
    • D. Glucose is a gas

  4. Question 4

    Is this passive or active transport: a gland cell releasing hormone in vesicles (exocytosis)?

    • A. passive (no ATP needed)
    • B. active (uses ATP)

  5. Question 5

    Why is the cell membrane described as a "fluid mosaic"?

    • A. It is made of liquid water
    • B. It is a rigid wall of cellulose
    • C. Phospholipids move freely and proteins are scattered through them like tiles
    • D. Its proteins never move

  6. Question 6

    Is this passive or active transport: a white blood cell engulfing a bacterium (endocytosis)?

    • A. passive (no ATP needed)
    • B. active (uses ATP)

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Answer key: Membrane structure, protein channels and bulk transport

  1. 1. B. Facilitated diffusion uses carrier or channel proteins but no ATP.

  2. 2. A. passive (no ATP needed)

  3. 3. B. Oxygen is small and non-polar; glucose is larger and polar

  4. 4. B. active (uses ATP)

  5. 5. C. Phospholipids move freely and proteins are scattered through them like tiles

  6. 6. B. active (uses ATP)