The Cell Cycle and Mitosis

Pauline Hudson

Isaac E. Young Middle School, Westchester

Summer Research Program for Science Teachers

August 2011

Subject:  Living Environment (Biology)

Grade Level: 8 & 9

Unit: Cell Processes

Aim:  What are the phases of Mitosis in Plant and Animal Cells?

Time Required: 4 - 40 minute periods or 2 double periods

Learning Targets:

SWBAT:

Ø  Describe the stages in the cell cycle and mitosis

Ø  Create Models that Show the stages of Mitosis

Ø  Use flipcams to create a permanent record of their mitosis models

Vocabulary: cell cycle, mitosis, interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, cytokinesis

Procedure - Day 1:

DO NOW      

1. Use the information sheet given to write a short definition of each stage of mitosis on the Worksheet 1 given.
2. Review the sequences of the cell division & create an acronym and a make up an acrostic to recall the stages of mitosis.

     Discussion of Do Now

Introduce with short video clip from the website cellsalive.com. This is an animation of cells dividing by mitosis. There are notes that describe each phase. Teacher will stop at each phase to give students a close look at each phase.

Students will describe each phase and use the acronym IPMATC.

Students share their acrostic for IPMATC.

Teacher may suggest - (I Pick Many Apples To Candy)

     Microscopy- Observing and Counting Cells in Each Phase Mitosis

In part one of the lesson students will work in pairs to observe cells undergoing mitosis, and count the number of cells in each phase of mitosis. Worksheet 3

Teacher will demonstrate using the digital high power microscope.

 1.For a single field of view under the microscope at X40 select an area with approximately 50 cells.

2.Count the number of cells in each phase until you have a total of 50 cells.

3.Record your findings, make a sketch of each phase.

Students will sketch each stage of Mitosis in the worksheet given.

Count and record the number of cells that are in each phase of mitosis as demonstrated. 

Summary of Day One: teacher will use the projector microscope to review the mitosis cell count and students will check their work for accuracy, and share their results with each other.

Homework: Students will complete the sequence map of the cell cycle and mitosis using prior training in the use of sequence maps - Worksheet 2.

Procedure - Day 2:

Making models of cells in each phase of mitosis

Using a combination of Materials given students will create Models to show the process of mitosis. Students will work in groups of four. Homework sheets from the previous day will be on the Smartboard showing the correct sequence.

            Using technology to create permanent record of cell models

Some groups will use a flipcam to record a video or slide show with narration.