Kids Discover : Cells

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5 ways cells are similar to you

1) Gathers fuel2) Creates energy3) Grows4) Reproduces5) dies

Four common atoms1) Carbon2) Nitrogen3) Hydrogen4) oxygen

unicellular – made up of one cellexample – amoeba

multicellular – made up of many cellsexample - human

Specialized cells that humans have:

1) Blood2) Nerve

3) Muscle4) Fat

5) Bone6) skin

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5 ingredients of a cell1) Water2) Protein3) Carbohydrates4) Nucleic acid5) fats

Parts of a Human Cell1) DNA2) Ribosome3) Golgi body4) Lysosome5) Mitochondria6) Cytoplasm7) Cell membrane8) Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)9) Vacuole10) nucleus

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Your DNA is as individual as your finger print.

Cells with no nucleus are called prokaryotes and cells with a nucleus are called eukaryotes.

The letters C, G, A, and T represent the bases on the genetic code.

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A cell splits itself into two during the process called mitosis.

Each human cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes.

Skin cells are the body’s first defense against bacteria and viruses.

The Story of Cells1673 – Leeuwenhoek became the first person to see living cells

1831 – Robert Brown shows the nucleus is a key part of each cell

1839 – Schwann and Schleiden made the cell theory

1860’s – Gregor Mendel uses pea plants to show how genes control heredity

1860’s – Walther Flemming dyes cells and finds out how they reproduce

1931 – invention of the electron microscope – now we can see atoms

1953 – Watson and Crick show the structure of DNA is a double helix

1977 – the first clone is created – a sheep named Dolly

2000 – Human Genome Project – doctor can diagnose, prevent and treat diseases

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In the late 1800’s, scientists discovered the secrets of heredity – the passing of genes from generation to generation.

About 99.8 percent of your genetic information is the same as your six billion or so fellow humans on Earth.

Over millions of years, changes in genes, called mutations, have combined to create different plants and animals.

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Genetic engineering is making changes in an organisms genetic material – examples include designing your own baby or injecting cells to get bigger

GM stands for genetically modified and one positive is it will improve resistance to disease and pests in crops

Stem cells can change into other types of cells when they reproduce.

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Life Span of a CellSkin cells live 1 – 34 daysStomach lining cells live 2 daysRed blood cells live 120 daysBone cells live 25-30 yearsSome nerve cells live until we die