Cell Projects

Honors:

Creative Cell Model

Each student will create an analogy for the cell and its organelles. The “cell” must contain “organelles” that perform functions analogous to the function of the organelles they represent.

Organelles to be included are:

mitochondriaendoplasmic reticulum

ribosomesGolgi bodies

vacuolesnucleus

chromatincell membrane

A key should be made that identifies what was used to represent the organelles. Also, include a brief description of each organelle and its function.

Organelles included 4 points each: mitochondria...... ______

ribosomes...... ______

vacuoles...... ______

endoplasmic reticulum...... ______

Golgi apparatus...... ______

nucleus...... ______

chromatin...... ______

cell membrane...... ______

Items selected representative of organelle 10 points...... ______

Key included 12 points...... ______

Organelle description 15 points...... ______

Organelle function 15 points...... ______

Creativity 10 points...... ______

Neatness 10 points...... ______

Total Score...... ______

Regular Biology

Cell Mobile

The purpose of this activity is to build a cell model with an alteration to cell design which will allow more visualization of the cell’s inner parts. While cells are enclosed structures, this model will dangle as a mobile and demonstrate the level of intracellular organization in a more linear format. The cell body and cell (plasma) membrane functions as the main support structure for the mobile. All other parts are directly or indirectly carried by the cell body. The nucleus is a secondary platform to support otherorganelles.

Grading:

You will initially start with a 100 for your project grade. You will lose points for the following items:

  • Missing an organelle (deduct 4 points for each organelle)
  • Missing a label on an organelle (deduct 4 points for each label)
  • Organelle is mislabeled (deduct 4 points for each mistake)
  • No name on project (deduct 4 points)
  • Plant cell is not square (deduct 20 points)
  • Project is sloppy (deduct up to 8 points)
  • Project is late (deducted: 10 points per day: after 5 days project grade is a 0)
  • Project is not three-dimensional (deduct 30 points)

Remember: Your project grade is worth 100 points total. It is intended to help you better understand the cell and improve your grade. Please take this seriously and turn it in on time.

Organelle / Present / Label / Total
Cell Wall
Cell Membrane
Cytoplasm
Nucleus
Nucleolus
Smooth ER
Rough ER
Ribosomes
Golgi Complex
Vacuoles
Mitochondria
Chloroplasts
General Project Guidelines / Total
No name on project
Plant cell is not square
Sloppiness
Not 3-dimensional
Late: Date turned in: ______# of days late:______

Final Grade: ______/100__

Comments:

Introduction to Biology

Purpose:
The purpose of this projectis to make a 3D model of a cell in order to better understand the parts and workings of a cell.

Using household items make a three-dimensional model of a plant or animal cell that meets the criteria listed below.

Choose what type of cell you will build, a typical plant or animal cell. Include this label somewhere on your model

Cell Project Rubric
Category / Scoring Criteria / Excellent (3 pts) / Satisfactory (2 pts) / Needs Work (1 pt)
Craftsmanship / Model cell is creative and shows effort
The model is 3 dimensional
Model stays together, is not too messy or cumbersome to move around
Cell Parts / Type of cell and student name are found on both the key and the model
Key, legend, or labeling easy to use to identify the parts on your model
Accurate description of the function of each cell part is provided
Appropriate material is used (item looks like the cell part)
Shape corresponds to the type of cell: plant or animal
Written word / Grammar, spelling
Score / Total Points (out of 30)

Create a KEY or label in some way each part on your model and its function.
Use the following rubric as a guide to making your cell.

Biome Projects

Honors Biology

Biome-in-a-Box Project

Biome-in-a-Box Diorama: (50 points)

You may chose from the following biomes:

  1. Tundra
  2. Taiga (Coniferous Forest)
  3. Desert
  4. Temperate Deciduous Forest
  5. TropicalRain Forest
  6. Grassland
  • The box for the project should be shoebox size or larger.
  • The diorama should contain:
  • At least 3 animal species found in your chosen biome.
  • At least 3 plant species found in your chosen biome.
  • The biome should be realistically represented with geographical features such as mountains, streams, rivers, etc.
  • You may use clay, paint, papier-mâché, small plastic trees or animals, or anything else that you can think of to portray your biome correctly. BE CREATIVE!!
  • A background on the back and sides of the box
  • The background may be painted, drawn and colored, or made of a neat collage of pictures cut from magazines

Biome Letter: (50 Points)

You have been chosen to join a scientific expedition to the biome you have chosen. While you are there you write a letter to your science teacher describing your biome. Your letter to me to your should include:

  • An accurate description of your biome including what the seasons are like and how long they last.
  • Descriptions of at least3 plant and 3 animal species shown in your diorama
  • Descriptions should include adaptations to life in your biome.
  • The average temperature.
  • The average yearly rainfall.
  • Approximate longitude and latitude of your biome.
  • The type of soil that can be found in your biome.
  • A description of what life is like in your biome.
  • Descriptions of unique conditions in your biome such as, permafrost, length of night and day, any other aspect of your biome that is interesting to you.
  • Bibliography of sources using proper bibliography style.
  • The paper must be typed and double-spaced.

Sources: You may use your textbook, class notes, encyclopedias, and the following Internet websites:

Use only the websites listed. You can find all of the information that you need using them.

***Plagiarism is unacceptable!! Do not cut and paste information from the Internet directly into your paper. Put the information into your own words. I have read all of these websites and I will double-check them with your paper.***

********************************************************

The Biome-in-a-Box diorama is worth a maximum of 50 points.

The Biome Letter is worth a maximum of 50 points.

Together a maximum of 100 points is available.

Use the rubrics provided to help you with designing and writing your project.

I will use the rubrics to grade your diorama and your letter. You must turn in your rubric with your project.

Both the Biome-in-a-Box and the Biome Letter are:

Biome Letter RubricNAME:______

Category / 10 / 8 / 6 / 5
Amount of Information / Paper is at least 1.5 typed pages and all topics are addressed with at least 2 sentences about each. / Paper is at least 1.5 typed pages and all topics are addressed with at least 1 sentence about each. / Paper is not 1.5 typed pages but all topics are addressed with 1 sentence about each. / Paper is not 1.5 typed pages and one or more topics were not addressed.
Quality of Information / All information is accurate to chosen biome and is clearly organized. / Most information is accurate to chosen biome and is clearly organized. / Most information is accurate to chosen biome. Organization is unclear. / Most information is inaccurate to chosen biome and organization is unclear.
Sources:
Bibliography / All sources are accurately documented in the desired format. / All sources are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format. / All sources are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format. / Some sources are not accurately documented.
Internet Use / Successfully uses suggested internet links to find information and worked well during time allotted. / Moderately successful at using suggested internet links to find information and worked well during time allotted. / Successful to moderately successful at using suggested internet links to find information but was off task during the time allotted. / Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or was disruptive to others during time allotted.
Mechanics / No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. / Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. / A few grammatical spelling, or punctuation errors. / Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

Points earned: ______

Total points for Biome Letter: ______

Biome in a Box Diorama RubricNAME:______

Category

/ 10 / 8 / 6 / 5
Attractiveness
and Creativity / Display box is very attractive and creativity is evident. / Display box is very attractive. / Display box is somewhat attractive. / Display box is messy and unattractive.
Accuracy of Animals / More than 3 animals are accurately shown. / At least 3 animals are accurately shown. / One animal is inaccurately shown. / More than one animal is inaccurately shown.
Accuracy of Plants / More than 3 plants are accurately shown. / At least 3 plants are accurately shown. / One plant is inaccurately shown. / More than one plant is inaccurately shown.
Background / Background is very neatly depicted and present on all three sides. / Background is neatly depicted and present on all three sides. / Background is present on all three sides. / Background is not present on all three sides.
Completeness / All components of assignment are present. / Most (1 item missing) components of assignment are present. / Some (2 to 3 items missing) components of assignment are present. / Few (more than 3 items missing) components of assignment are present.

Points earned: ______

Points from Diorama:______

Points from Letter:______

FINAL GRADE: ______

Regular Biology

Name______

Class ______Date______

Biome Brochure

1. Choose from one of the following biomes: Tundra, ConiferousForest (Taiga), DeciduousForest, TropicalRain Forest, Grassland, Savanna, Chaparral, and Desert.

2. Create a travel brochure for your biome. The brochure will be graded with the following rubric.

a. ______15 pts. The brochure is neat in appearance (Lines are straight, writing/typing is legible, information is laid out in an organized manner).

b. ______10 pts. The brochure is creative and colorful.

c. ______5 pts. The average summer and winter temperatures are included.

d. ______10 pts. The average amount of precipitation, the type of dominant precipitation, and the season when most of the precipitation falls are included.

e. ______10 pts. A map that indicates where the biome is found in the world is included.

f. ______10 pts. List 5 different types of plants found in your biome.

g. ______5 pts. List 2 adaptations of plants found living in your biome.

h. ______10 pts. List 5 different types of animals found in your biome.

i. ______5 pts. List 2 adaptations of animals found living in your biome.

j. ______5 pts. List the major type of soil found in your biome.

k. ______10 pts. List 3 interesting facts about your biome.

l. ______10 pts. You have at least 2 illustrations (not including your map) in your brochure.

m. ______5 pts. You have used at least 4 sources.

n. ______5 pts. You have included a bibliography that is completed properly.

o. ______10 pts. You have turned in this rubric with your brochure and your name is on the brochure.

______Total points out of 125 Total Possible Points

3. Please make sure that you do not plagiarize!!! Put all information into your own words and make sure that you cite any facts, maps, illustrations, etc. that you use in your brochure. Failure to put items into your own words and/or failure to cite your information will result in a major loss of points.

4. Please make sure that you take your time with this project!!! Use the rubric as a guide and think about the aspects of a neat, organized, creative, colorful and informative brochure. If you allocate your time wisely and take pride in your work, you should get a very high grade on this project. Good luck and have fun!!!

Introduction to Biology

Name: ______Date: _____ Period: _____

World’s Major Biomes: A poster-presentation

  • You are a member of the Traveling Biome Tourists Association (TBTA) and enjoys going on expeditions through the world’s major biomes! Even though you and the group have seen the majority of the planet, there are still biomes that the Association has not yet discovered fully. It is your job and responsibility to discover what this new biome is, gather facts that support and describe your biome, and report about your newly discovered biome to other members of the Association.
  • After you have gathered all the data that supports the biome you researched, all information must be mounted and displayed on the poster board—colorfully, creatively, neatly, and easy to understand. You may use your book, the Internet, newspapers, and the magazines to help you along your journey.
  • You are responsible for gathering data concerning abiotic factors, biotic factors, and geographic distribution. After all of your research is done, a poster board display must accompany your research. All questions are to be turned in separately in complete sentences. A current event will be included.

Name of Biome: ______

Abiotic Factors:

  • You are responsible for gathering information on all of the abiotic factors of your biome. This will include information on the climate such as the temperature, precipitation, and humidity; it will also include nutrient availability, soil type, climate zone, and any other abiotic factor you can think of that supports your biome.
  • You must include:
  • Information on the climate: Average temperature, rainfall, in the various seasons.
  • A description of the soil.
  • A visual of any of the other physical factors.

Biotic Factors:

  • You are responsible for gathering information on all of the biotic factors of your biome. This will include information on all of the living organisms found in your biome. You must include information on the dominant plant life, wildlife, etc.
  • You must include:
  • Description of 5 plants and 1 picture of the dominant plant life.
  • Description of 5 animals and 1 picture of the wildlife.
  • A food web, which includes more than 6 organisms (not a food chain!)

Geographic Distribution:

  • You are responsible for gathering and collecting information on the global location of your biome. You must include a map of where your biome is located. Other information should include human impact, endangered species and countries or states that the biome includes.
  • You must include:
  • A colored map of where the Biome is located with a list of at least 5 countries or states found in the biome.
  • Information and a picture on an endangered species of your choice—a description and cause of its endangered status.
  • Information concerning human impact of the area.

Bibliography:

  • You must have at least 3 sources properly cited. Also you may NOT simply print out other sources to add to your poster. You must interpret information and add it yourself!

Rubric for Poster

Poster Requirements / Points Available / Points Earned
Proper set-up of poster / 2.5
General Description / 2.5
Information on the climate: average temp., rainfall, etc. / 5
A graph that displays the average temperature. / 2.5
A visual and description of any of the other physical factors (a picture, chart, graph, or other). / 5
Description of at least 5 plants (include at least 1 picture). / 5
Description of at least 5 animals (animals, birds, insects). Include at least 1 picture. / 5
A food web which includes more than 6 organisms. (Not a food chain) / 5
A colored map of where the biome is located. / 5
Information and a picture on an endangered species of your choice. / 5
Information concerning human impact of the area. / 5
List of 5 countries or states found in the biome. / 2.5
Bibliography with at least 3 sources (1 book, not an Encyclopedia), in the correct format. / 5
Neat, colorful, creative / 5
Bonus Points: going above and beyond what is expected
TOTAL POINTS / 60

**10 PTS. WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR EACH DAY POSTER IS LATE**

You may NOT simply print out/copy material (plagiarism!)!
You must interpret information and write it yourself!

Possible biomes to research:

  1. Tundra (arctic, alpine)
  2. Coniferous Forest
  3. Deciduous Forest
  4. Grasslands
  5. Desert
  6. Rainforest
  7. Wetlands
  8. Taiga
  9. Estuaries
  10. OpenOcean
  11. Coastal Oceans
  12. Freshwater Ecosystems
  13. Intertidal Zone
  14. Chaparral

Honors Take-Home Labs

Spontaneous Generation lab

Problem: Is spontaneous generation possible?

Science Process Skills

observing, comparing, inferring

Background Information

Until the late nineteenth century, most scientists accepted the theory of spontaneous generation. Spontaneous generation was the idea that living things developed from nonliving materials. In 1668, an Italian physician Francesco Redi, questioned the theory of spontaneous generation. Redi tested his hypothesis.

Materials

3 pieces of raw chopped meatpiece of plastic wrap

3 jars2 rubber bands

piece of cheeseclothhand lens

Procedure

  1. Place some meat in each of the jars.
  1. Leave one jar uncovered.
  1. Put cheesecloth over the second jar. Place plastic wrap over the third jar. Secure the cheesecloth and plastic wrap tightly with a rubber band.
  1. Place all three jars in an open area where flies will be attracted by the odor of the meat.
  1. Using the hand lens, observe carefully for the next five days the meat in the uncovered jar and the top of the cheesecloth and plastic wrap on the other jars. Record your daily observations.

Day 1______

______

Day 2______

______

Day 3______

______

Day 4______

______

Day 5______

______

Observations

  1. Which jars attracted flies? ______
  1. a. In which jar did flies come in contact with the meat?______

b. Which jar contained maggots on the meat? ______

  1. Which jar was the control? ______

Conclusions

  1. a. Why were there no maggots in two of the jars? ______

______

b. Where did the maggots come from? ______