The CDC needs your help. A deadly virus is sweeping the US. It is attacking parts of cells and killing its

victims in a matter of hours. Make the right choices and save the world. Research the topics and proceed

with caution. Click the icon to continue:

A virus is very simple. It consists of RNA and a protein shell. The virus will enter a person and use cells to manufacture more viruses. As the new viruses fill up the cells the cells burst. This particular virus is only attacking parts of a cell. To understand how to stop it we must first begin to understand cells.

Just how big are cells?Click the following link to learn about the size of cells. As you slide the bar to see smaller images remember that a meter is 39 inches!

Research cell size here:http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cells/scale/

How big are human skin cells? Click and follow the link

10micrometers 30micrometers 300micrometers

Hi

I was bon in Zurich and went to the university of Berlin. I mostly studied animals with out backbones , also called invertebrates.

What What did you study?

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE

All living things have some distinct characteristics. What are the characteristics of al l living things? Do some research on the characteristics of life . Are cells alive?http://infohost.nmt.edu/~klathrop/7characterisitcs_of_life.htm

Which characteristic best answers the question?

Number 1 Number 3 Number 6

These are human skin cells. They are too small to see with you eyes, but you can see them with the help of a microscope. Click the icon to continue:

Hi

I am Theodor Schwann. I’m glad to hear that you are interested in cells! I was alive at a thrilling time! People were discovering so many things as a result of the discovery of the microscope.

What I’m investigating for the cells for the CDC. What is your name?

Amoeba cells are large. Close to 500 micrometers. You need to do better research! Click the link to continue

INCORRECT. YOU NEED TO DO CAREFUL RESEARCH. WE CAN’T AFFORD THESE ERRORS!

Once cells were discovered…you won’t believe what happened next!People started wondering why cells are significant. This curiosity led to many people interested in simply observing cells. People began to discover cells all around them, including in a drop of pond water.

Carefully observe the organisms in this drop of pond water. What conclusions can you make?

All living things are made of cells

Some living things are made of cells

INCORRECT! HE DID SEE LIVING THINGS, BUT NOT THE FIRST CELLS. WE CANNOT HAVE TOO MANY SET BACKS! READ MORE CAREFULLY!

Red Blood cells are small. Close to 10 micrometers. You need to do better research! Click the link to continue

Hi

I was using a microscope and looking at some cells and you will never believe what I saw there

What Did you discover anything about cells?

If cells are so small how can we see them?Research the invention of the microscope. As you read about the microscope reflect on how technology is important to scientific discoveries.

Follow this link to research the microscope. Pay close attention to the events from 1590-1931

http://sciencelearn.org.nz/Contexts/Exploring-with-Microscopes/Timeline

Who first used a microscope to view cells?

Robert Hooke

ErnstAbbe

AntonieVan

Leeuwenhoek

Hi

First, that all living things are made of cells, Second, that cells are the basic unit of structure and function in living things and finally, that new cells come from other living cells. Click the biohazard icon to continue.

What What do you know about the cell theory?

Which microscope should I use?You are about to investigate cells. Thankfully, we have the technology to be able to look at cells through a variety of microscopes. But which microscope is best for the job that we have of identifying cell parts? Research the various types of microscopes and decide which one your would purchase for your research on cell parts.

http://sciencelearn.org.nz/Contexts/Exploring-with-Microscopes/Sci-Media/Interactives/Which-microscope

stereomicroscope Compound microscope

Confocal laser scanning SEM

CryoSEM Electron tomography

TEM

THE CELL THEORYThe cell theory includes a statements of several facts about cells and the role they play in biology. Investigate the cell theory time line and write down the principle parts of the theory, who contributed to it and when the occurred.

http://www.softschools.com/timelines/cell_theory_timeline/96/

Who would you want to interview to find out more about the cell theory?

Kolliker Brown Schwann

CORRECT! Hooke first used a microscope to view cork cells. Even though the cells were from a dead part of wood he recognized that they were important to all living things. He thought they looked like the rooms in a monastery, so he called them “cells”. They may remind you of the cells in a jail! Click the link to continue.

Hi

Guten Tag! My name is Albert.And I helped to discover someimportant things about cells. Click the biohazard icon to continue

Congratulations!

You are now familiar with the tools to view cells and the cell theory. As you learn about the cell parts keep in mind what they do and how this deadly virus would impact a person if their cells lost that function.

Hi

I am glad that you are investigating cells. If there is any other way I can help, Let me know.

What Well ,thank you for your time and for the information.

Hi

I helped to discover some new techniques for using microscopes. I also found out that sperm and eggs are actually cells!

What What can you tell me about the cell theory?

Hi

Great! My name is Robert Brown. I was so excited about the scientific advances during the early 1800’s. I am glad to be a part of your investigation

What Hello. I am doing some interviews about cells

Good Choice! Now that we have the right equipment, what can we use it to find out?The virus that we are researching has some interesting characteristics. One thing is that this virus only targets eukaryotic cells. But what are eukaryotic cells and how are they different than prokaryotic cells?

Compare the differences between these two cells types.

http://www.life.umd.edu/classroom/bsci424/BSCI223WebSiteFiles/ProkaryoticvsEukaryotic.htm

You are looking through your microscope at a cell. You notice that the cell has a distinct nucleus. What type of cell is it?

Prokaryotic Eukaryotic

Hi

I saw this dark spot in the center. I didn’t know what else to call it so I called it a nucleus.

Click the biohazard icon to continue.

What What did you see?

Hi

I used a microscope to discover that humans and animals are made entirely of cells. It was amazing to see that humans are actually made of these smaller building blocks!

What Did you discover anything about cells?

What are Eukaryotic cell like?By now you may have realized that both plant and animal cells are eukaryotic. Both have a distinct nucleus. How can you tell the difference between a plant and a animal cell? If you are looking at a cell through the microscope how can you tell what kind of cell it is? Do some research on the differences. How can you tell if you are looking at an animal cell?

http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model.htm

Which is the animal cell?