Cell Webquest

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Part 1 - What's inside a cell?


Use the web resources below as starting points for labeling the animal and plant cell diagrams. Keep the following things in mind as you do this:
  • Try matching cell parts (organelles) by shape. Colors can be VERY different between different pictures, but shape is usually similar.
  • You only have to label the cell parts that I have marked for you. The sites you visit may have many more that you do not have to worry about.
  • Use more than one resource, especially if you cannot find what you are looking for on one of them.
  • Don't worry about the FACTORY FUNCTIONS until Part III.

Web Resources:
  1. Cells Alive! - This is a great interactive website for learning about cells. To start, click animal or plant cell. Then, hover over the cell parts to see what they are called. Clicking on cell parts brings you to a new page where they explain what the part does, but the words can be difficult to understand.

  2. Animal Cell Diagram Google Search - There are MANY cell diagram pictures on the web. They almost always have way more cell parts than we need to know, so remember to only look for the ones I have marked for you.

  3. Plant Cell Diagram Google Search - There are MANY cell diagram pictures on the web. They almost always have way more cell parts than we need to know, so remember to only look for the ones I have marked for you.

Part 2 - What do the cell parts do?



Visit websites, learn about a cell part, and match it with a function from the list taped to your desk. Write the correct choice in the Google Doc.

Web Resources:
  1. Biology Junction - Mostly simple and easy to understand functions for each cell part. This site has pictures.

  2. Cell Parts Table - Fairly basic and easy to understand cell parts list.

  3. Cells Alive - This is a great interactive website for learning about cells. To start, click animal or plant cell. Then, hover over the cell parts to see what they are called. Clicking on cell parts brings you to a new page where they explain what the part does, but the words can be difficult to understand.

  4. I Know That - Please use headphones or turn sound down a little when using this site. On this page, you can hear how to pronounce each cell part. It also has good information about the cell parts, but can be hard to understand.

Part 3 - Factory Metaphors



Students often find it helpful to learn the cell parts by comparing them to something in a factory. These metaphors can help us remember the real function of the cell parts.

Using your resources for Part 3 and the list below, go back and match each cell part above with its factory metaphor.

  • Warehouse

  • Foreman/Director

  • Walls

  • Workers

  • Furnace

  • Recycling Center

  • Conveyor Belt

  • Mail Room

  • Solar panels

Web Resources:

  1. Comparing a Cell to a Factory - This site directly compares cell parts to factory parts. It does not always use the same ones in our list, but it may be helpful for you to see how it is done.

  2. Cell Parts Metaphors - This table makes some metaphors of its own and some of them are very similar to our own.