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🧪 Test your knowledge of what makes something alive!

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Join a solo game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn – any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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Cell: The basic unit of structure and function in living things.
Cell membrane: A flexible covering that protects the inside of a cell.
Cell wall: A stiff structure outside the cell membrane in plant cells.
Cytoplasm: A fluid inside a cell that contains salts and other molecules.
Organelle: Structures inside a cell that have specific functions.
Nucleus: The part of a cell that contains DNA and controls the cell's activities.
Mitochondria: Organelles that break down food to release energy.
Chloroplast: Organelles found in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs.
Ribosome: A tiny structure where proteins are made.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): A network that moves materials within the cell.
Golgi apparatus (Golgi body): Packages and sends materials out of the cell.
Vacuole: A storage space inside cells, especially large in plant cells.
Lysosome: Organelles that contain enzymes to break down waste.
Microscope: A tool used to make small objects look larger.
Unicellular: Made of only one cell.
Multicellular: An organism made up of more than one cell.
Homeostasis: The maintenance of a stable internal environment.
Stimulus: Anything that causes a response in an organism.
Response: The action or change in behavior caused by a stimulus.
Reproduction: The process by which organisms make more organisms.
Energy: Needed by all living things to survive; used to perform life functions.
Diffusion: The movement of substances from an area of high concentration to low concentration.
Cell theory: The idea that all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and all cells come from other cells.
Tissue: A group of similar cells that perform a specific function.
Organ: A structure made up of different kinds of tissues that work together.
Organ system: A group of organs that work together to perform a major function.
Organism: A living thing that carries out all life processes.
Specialized cell: A cell that performs a specific function within a multicellular organism.
Circulatory system: The body system that moves blood, nutrients, oxygen, and wastes through the body.
Respiratory system: The body system that supplies oxygen to the blood and removes carbon dioxide.
Digestive system: The body system that breaks down food into nutrients for the body to absorb.
Nervous system: The body system that controls the body's responses to internal and external changes.
Skeletal system: The system that provides structure and protection for the body.
Muscular system: The system that allows movement of the body and internal organs.

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What If Algae Took Over the Oceans? #Shorts

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What If Algae Took Over the Oceans? #Shorts

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Take a fascinating virtual tour of a real research laboratory! See how scientists study cells using advanced microscopes. Write a short reflection for extra credit.

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360-video tour of USC's stem cell research center

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Take an incredible journey inside a cell! This video will help you understand the different parts we'll be studying. Don't forget to take notes using our guided worksheet.

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Download this helpful chart to keep track of all cell organelles and their functions. This will be a valuable study tool for your upcoming quiz!

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Practice using our virtual microscope before we use the real ones in class. Complete the observation worksheet and submit it to Google Classroom.

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BioNetwork's Virtual Microscope is the first fully interactive 3D scope - it's a great practice tool to prepare you for working in a science lab.

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Use this amazing interactive tool to explore a 3D cell model. Try to identify all organelles we discussed in class! Username: grade6science Password: cell2023

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Free online interactive 3D model allowing students to investigate the structure of eukaryotic cells, their organelles and cellular processes.

What is the Cell Explorer?

The Cell Explorer is a tool to help students to explore the sub-cellular structures and processes in eukaryotic cells. It can be used with A-level & Yr11 GCSE (or equivalent) groups as a classroom-based or homework activity.

Students are able to manipulate the colours and labels on the 3D model, while also having the option to move the cell and zoom in or out.

There is also the option to watch animations of mitosis and meiosis, as well as create presentations that can be downloaded and used as part of their coursework.

A-level Learning Outcomes

I can describe the key features of a eukaryotic cell

I can explain the functions of key organelles

I can analyse different stages of cell division

I can calculate the size of cells and organelles using scale and magnification

I can interpret scientific experimental data to apply understanding of cell specialisation

I can explain the applications of GCSE and A level Biology to current scientific research

Why was the Cell Explorer developed?

This tool is designed to help students understand just how tiny but complex cells are and how important understanding cells is to biology as a whole.

Many misconceptions surrounding cells and cell structure are focused on issues of scale and content. This interactive 3D model is designed to address these issues by allowing students to zoom in and out of the cell, understand what can and can't be seen at different levels of magnification and how the organelles create the cell's structure.

Additional Resources

To help support the use of the Cell Explorer in classrooms, there are a number of teacher notes and resources that are downloadable from the SCoPE website, including:

A-level teacher notes

GCSE teacher notes

Student worksheet on organelles

Student worksheet on cell division

Research summaries for students

The SCoPE Project

The Cell Explorer was developed as part of the SCoPE (Scientists Collaborative Project with Educators) programme, led by the Gurdon Institute in collaboration with the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education.
Teachers and Gurdon Institute scientists co-created four innovative teaching 'toolkits' to use in biology classrooms across the UK. These toolkits are part of our public engagement programme and their development was funded by Wellcome, therefore they are FREE for teachers to use.

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Free online interactive 3D model allowing students to investigate the structure of eukaryotic cells, their organelles and cellular processes.

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🧠 Answer: Nope! Some cells are simple (like bacteria), and others have many parts with special jobs (like animal and plant cells).

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How can one tiny cell do everything a living thing needs?

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How can one tiny cell do everything a living thing needs?

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🧠 Answer: Even one-celled organisms (like amoebas) have all the parts they need to eat, move, and survive!

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🧠 Answer: Small size helps them move things in and out quickly — if they were too big, they couldn’t get what they need fast enough.

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🧠 Answer: That’s a tricky one! Viruses can’t live or reproduce on their own — they need a host — so most scientists say they’re not truly alive.

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What’s the difference between plant and animal cells?

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What’s the difference between plant and animal cells?

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🧠 Answer: Plant cells have a cell wall and chloroplasts; animal cells don’t. Both have a nucleus, cell membrane, and more.

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Why do we need so many cells in our bodies?

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Why do we need so many cells in our bodies?

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🧠 Answer: Because different cells do different jobs — like moving, thinking, or digesting food. They all work together to keep us alive.

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🧠 Answer: Not usually — most cells are way too small! The biggest one you can see without a microscope is an ostrich egg.

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Do all living things have the same kind of cells?

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Do all living things have the same kind of cells?

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🧠 Answer: Not exactly — some have just one cell, others have millions, and their cells can look and act very different depending on the job!

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Tips & Hints for Writing Awesome Lab Reports

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Tips & Hints for Writing Awesome Lab Reports

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Tips & Hints for Writing Awesome Lab Reports

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What If Your Skin was Bulletproof? #Shorts

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Cell vs. virus: A battle for health - Shannon Stiles

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Lesson 3 - Microscopes and Cell Discovery

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Lesson 3 - Microscopes and Cell Discovery

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Lesson 3 - Microscopes and Cell Discovery

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Lesson 7 - Classification: Domains and Kingdoms

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Lesson 7 - Classification: Domains and Kingdoms

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Lesson 7 - Classification: Domains and Kingdoms

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Login to access and create your next design.

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Login to access and create your next design.

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Lesson 9 - Transport, Power, and Control

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Lesson 9 - Transport, Power, and Control

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Lesson 9 - Transport, Power, and Control

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Login to access and create your next design.

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Login to access and create your next design.

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Lesson 13a Criterion D: Vivacious Vorticella part 1

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Lesson 13a Criterion D: Vivacious Vorticella part 1

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Lesson 13a Criterion D: Vivacious Vorticella part 1

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Lesson 13b: Criterion D-Vivacious Vorticella part 2

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Lesson 13b: Criterion D-Vivacious Vorticella part 2

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Lesson 13b: Criterion D-Vivacious Vorticella part 2

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Lesson 15: An Introduction to  Body Systems

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Lesson 15: An Introduction to  Body Systems

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Lesson 15: An Introduction to Body Systems

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[NEW] Unit 1 Guide From Cells to Systems (5)