Cellular Compartmentalization Unit

Context of Unit in Course Unit is for a second year, intro cell biology or intro microbiology course, scalable to first year intro biology This unit comes in the middle of the course Students are expected to know what cells are and basic cell structures as prior course knowledge Enduring concepts are compartmentalization in cells, and differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Unit Learning Goals and Objectives 1)Understand what cellular compartmentalization is a.LO – define cellular compartmentalization b.LO – explain the advantages of compartmentalization 2)Understand structural differences between pro and eu a.LO – distinguish structural differences between pro and eu cells b.LO – explain organization without membrane-bound structures 3)Understand functional differences between pro and eu a.LO - distinguish functional differences between pro and eu cells b.LO – be able to match processes with organelles Students will…

Tidbit Learning Goals and Objectives 1)Understand what cellular compartmentalization is a.LO – define cellular compartmentalization b.LO – explain the advantages of compartmentalization 2)Understand structural differences between pro and eu a.LO – distinguish structural differences between pro and eu cells b.LO – explain compartmentalization without membrane- bound structures 3)Understand functional differences between pro and eu a.LO - distinguish functional differences between pro and eu cells b.LO – be able to match processes with organelles Students will…

ALIEN MYSTERY A probe has returned from Venus with life! You, the ridiculously overpaid NASA staff biologist, are responsible to classify these cells as prokaryotic or eukaryotic. Let’s look at the first data from the lab. You can assume these are similar to known life forms (not silicon-based etc.)

Experiment 1 Collect cellsCell lysis Analyze components

Experiment 1 1)Prokaryotic 2)Eukaryotic 3)Can not determine The cells contain DNA, RNA, proteins, and phospholipids, and is therefore exclusively classified as:

TPS Explain to your neighbor why your answer is correct.

Countdown Clock By Dr. Jeff Ertzberger

Countdown Clock By Dr. Jeff Ertzberger

TPS Correct answer is 3, cannot determine at this point. Central concept: prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are similar at the basic molecular level. “What is true of E. coli is true of the elephant.” -- Jacques Monod Nobel Laureate 1965

Experiment 2 1)Prokaryotic 2)Eukaryotic 3)Can not determine We now have some more analysis. Using light microscopy, we can see that the cells have two chromosomes. Based on that, they can exclusively be classified as:

Experiment 2 – accessory data All of these cells are bacterial Fluorescent microscope images E. coli Vibrio cholerae Paracoccus denitrificans

TPS In light of the accessory observations, explain to your neighbor the correct answer.

Countdown Clock By Dr. Jeff Ertzberger

Countdown Clock By Dr. Jeff Ertzberger

Experiment 2 1)Prokaryotic 2)Eukaryotic 3)Can not determine After our discussion, let’s vote again. Since the cells have two chromosomes, they should be classified as:

TPS In light of the accessory observations, explain to your neighbor the correct answer. Central concept: a common misconception is that all prokaryotes have one circular chromosome

Experiment Experiment 3 The investigator is designing the next step. What evidence should she look for that would differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Experiment 4 1)Prokaryotic 2)Eukaryotic 3)Can not determine We now have further analysis. Using electron microscopy, we generated this image of the cells. Based on that, they can exclusively be classified as:

Wrapup House analogy for cellular compartmentalization

Eukaryotic compartmentalization Prokaryotic organization Which represents prokaryotic and which represent eukaryotic?

Eukaryotic compartmentalization Prokaryotic organization

Wrapup House analogy Both organized functionally While eukaryotes have extensive compartmentalization due to internal membrane-bound organelles, prokaryotes are also organized intracellularly

Homework LO – distinguish structural differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells Complete this interactive animation from Wiley Publisher. /animations/cell_structure/cell_structure.htm Complete the popup questions for prokaryotic cell, animal cell, and plant cell. Then complete the construct a cell exercise.