Alberta Science 10Teaching resource · Alberta POS aligned

Units / Unit C

Cycling of Matter in Living Systems

Nature of ScienceTeachable

The fundamental unit of life, the cell, is an example of an efficient open system comprised of a cell membrane and organelles that carry out the basic functions of all living organisms. Students will learn that technological advancements in microscopy have enhanced the study of cells and cellular processes.

Focusing questions

  • How did the cell theory replace the concept of "spontaneous generation" and revolutionize the study of life sciences?
  • How do single-celled organisms carry out life functions?
  • How do plants use specialized cells and processes to accomplish the same functions as a single cell, but on a larger scale?
  • How does imaging technology further our understanding of the structure and function of cells?

Key concepts (POS)

  • microscopy and the emergence of cell theory
  • cellular structures and functions, and technological applications
  • active and passive transport of matter
  • relationship between cell size and shape, and surface area to volume ratio
  • use of explanatory and visual models in science
  • cell specialization in multicellular organisms; i.e., plants
  • mechanisms of transport, gas exchange, and environmental response in multicellular organisms; i.e., plants

Lessons

  1. Lesson 1

    Cell Theory and Spontaneous Generation

    Trace cell theory development (C-GO1-SO1).

    C-GO1

    75 min · 8 slides

  2. Lesson 2

    Microscopy and Modern Cell Research

    Imaging advances and molecular cell research (C-GO1-SO2, C-GO1-SO3).

    C-GO1

    75 min · 8 slides

  3. Lesson 3

    The Cell as an Open System

    Cells exchange matter and energy (C-GO2-SO3).

    C-GO2

    75 min · 8 slides

  4. Lesson 4

    Diffusion, Osmosis, and Active Transport

    Compare passive and active transport with models (C-GO2-SO1, C-GO2-SO2).

    C-GO2

    75 min · 8 slides

  5. Lesson 5

    Organelles and Plant vs Animal Cells

    Identify organelle structures and functions; compare plant and animal cells (C-GO2-SO4, C-GO2-SO5).

    C-GO2

    80 min · 10 slides

  6. Lesson 6

    Membrane Equilibrium and Applications

    Equilibrium and real-world membrane applications (C-GO2-SO6, C-GO2-SO7).

    C-GO2

    75 min · 8 slides

  7. Lesson 7

    Surface Area to Volume and Cell Size

    SA:V limits cell size (C-GO2-SO8).

    C-GO2

    75 min · 8 slides

  8. Lesson 8

    Plant Specialization and Leaf Systems

    Multicellular organization and leaf tissues (C-GO3-SO1, C-GO3-SO2).

    C-GO3

    75 min · 8 slides

  9. Lesson 9

    Plant Water Transport and Transpiration

    Xylem, phloem, cohesion, adhesion, turgor, and root uptake (C-GO3-SO3).

    C-GO3

    75 min · 8 slides

  10. Lesson 10

    Gas Exchange and Tropisms in Plants

    Stomata, lenticels, phototropism, gravitropism history (C-GO3-SO4–SO6).

    C-GO3

    75 min · 8 slides