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02b - Lesson 3.2 Student Intro
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Lesson 3.2 Prokaryotic Cells

“The prokaryote-eukaryote distinction is perhaps the most well-known fundamental dichotomy in biology” -J. Sapp

[1]

Scientists at PNNL are developing a model of the microbial environment inside the human gut. This model is composed of three-dimensional human intestinal cells cultured with specific gut bacteria. Changes in certain bacterial populations within the gut have been attributed to colon cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases. The three-dimensional model provides an approach to study how changes in bacteria affect gut health and overall human health. Research was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and PNNL’s Laboratory Directed Research and Development initiative in chemical imaging.

The author of the quote above suggests that a dichotomy exists between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. What is a dichotomy and how would it apply in this case?

Essential Question:

How does the structure of a prokaryotic cell enable it to function in its environment?

Lesson 3.2 Learning Targets 

Get a hard copy of this table from your teacher. Below are the learning targets you will master during this lesson.

As a pre-assessment, before the lesson begins, please circle the number that describes your current understanding of the learning target.

Before the formative assessment for this lesson, please draw a triangle around the number that describes your understanding of the learning target.

Before the summative assessment, please draw a square around the number that describes your understanding of the learning target.

Learning Targets for Lesson 3.2

My self-assessment

1 - I have never seen this learning target before.

2 - I have seen this learning target, but I don't know what it means.

3 - I have seen this learning target, and I think I know what it means

4 - I can explain this learning target to another student.

I can describe the general structure of a prokaryotic cell.

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I can explain the functions and importance of cell structures needed for cellular respiration.

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I can explain the functions and importance of cell structures needed for photosynthesis.

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I can explain the functions and importance of cell structures needed for protein synthesis.

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I can explain the functions and importance of cell structures needed for cell reproduction.

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Lesson 3.2 Vocabulary

Get a hard copy of this table from your teacher. Below are the vocabulary terms you will master during this lesson.

As a pre-assessment, before the lesson begins, please circle the number that describes your current understanding of the term.

You will complete the “Definitions” and “Extra Practice” (shaded gray*) as we progress throughout the unit.

Before each formative assessment, you will reassess your understanding of the terms. When instructed, please draw a triangle around the number that describes your understanding of the term.

Finally, at the end of the unit (before the summative assessment) you will make a final assessment of your understanding of the terms. When instructed, please draw a square around the number that describes your understanding of the term.

Term

1 - I have never seen this term before.

2 - I have seen this term, but I don't know what it means.

3 - I have seen this term, and I think I know what it means

4 - I can explain this term and its meaning to another student.

Definition

Extra Practice

Prefixes and Suffixes: Find out what the word parts mean, then put them together

Sentence: Use the term properly in a complete sentence

Sketch: Draw a sketch of the term

Examples: Give examples of the term

On Your Own: Choose your own option or write an alternative definition using your prior knowledge.

1. Prokaryote

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List two characteristics of prokaryotic cells.

2. Organelle

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What is the purpose of organelles?

3. Domain

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Explain how a Domain is different from a Kingdom.

4. Cell wall

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Finish these statements in your own words

 

The cell wall is composed of

 

 

The function of the cell wall is to

 

 

The cell wall is located

5. Peptidoglycan

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Peptidoglycan is found in which structure of a bacterial cell?

 

 

Peptidoglycan is made up of which two macromolecules?

6. Diffusion

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Describe or sketch an example that illustrates this process.

7. Slime layer

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Where is a slime layer located on a bacterial cell?

 

 

What is the purpose of a slime layer?

8. Capsule

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Where is the capsule located on a bacterial cell?

 

 

What is the purpose of a capsule?

9. Flagellum

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What does a flagellum enable a bacterial cell to do?

10. Pillus

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Are pili longer or shorter than flagella?

 

 

Describe two ways in which flagella and pili are different.

11. Cytoplasm

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Where is the cytoplasm located in the prokaryotic cell?

 

12. Cytoskeleton

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What is the function of the cytoskeleton in a bacterial cell?

13. Nucleic acid

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The primary function of nucleic acid is to store ________________.

 

 

 

The two major types of nucleic acid are:

 

1.__________________

 

2. __________________

14. Ribosomes

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Without ribosomes, which macromolecule would not be created?

15. Cell membrane

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The function of the cell membrane is to:

 

 

The location of the cell membrane is:

16. Nucleoid

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Draw a bacterial cell and label the nucleoid.

 

What material is the nucleoid made up of?

17. Plasmid

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What makes up a plasmid?

 

How is a plasmid useful to a bacterial cell?

18. Granule

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Why are granules important to a bacterial cell?

19. Binary fission

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When a bacterial cell undergoes binary fission, how many cells are produced?

 

 

What needs to happen within a bacterial cell before it is able to undergo binary fission?

 

Pre-Assessment of Vocabulary Terms (Partner Brainstorming Bubble Maps)

Once you have made your individual initial circles for the above terms, please discuss each term with a partner. Brainstorm what you each think the terms mean. Make a bubble map for each term with your ideas. Possible questions to consider:

  1. Have either of you ever heard of any of the terms before? If yes, in what context?
  2. What do you visualize when you hear the term?
  3. Do the terms remind either of you of anything? If yes, what?
  4. Can you think of any examples of the terms? If yes, what?
  5. Record your ideas below.

[1] Improving Human Intestinal Health Courtesy of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0