Color me, Label me!

Grade 7 - Plant and Animal Cells

OVERVIEW

Cells are absolutely fascinating to study. These tiny things play enormously large
and important roles in our bodies and plant life. Children will be fascinated by how such
a small thing can be so vitally important in the various functions of life – God's intricate
creation from the smallest cell to the most elaborate of rainbows. In this lesson, the
students will learn and understand more about what do plant and animal cells have in
common, the differences between plant and animal cells, and what do animal cells have
that plants don’t and vice versa. Here, the student will be able to identify and
differentiate the connection between plant and animal cells.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to identify the parts, structures,
similarities, and differences of plant and animal cells.

 By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to describe the cell's components.

 By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to differentiate between plant cells
and animal cells.

INTRODUCTION

A cell is the fundamental unit of life or the fundamental building block of all living
organisms. If only one cell was discovered on another planet, it would be considered life
– not a clump, just one cell. Cells are enclosed by a cell plasma membrane which
separates them from all biological activities from the world around them. Organelles are
the tiny structural parts located inside of the cell. They have various functions which
keep the cell alive and active.
 So, when your students learn more about the cell, they will understand why the
word "cell" derives from a Latin meaning that means "small room." Some events occur
within the small room, while others occur outside of the small room.

What do plant and animal cells have in common?

Plant and animal cells share certain characteristics and functions. Eukaryotic
cells are found in both plants and animals. This means they have membrane-bound
organelles (cell membrane and cell organelles) such as the nucleus and mitochondria.
They both have cytoplasm, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum (both smooth and rough),
peroxisomes, Golgi apparatus, and microtubules/microfilaments.

What are the 5

differences between plant and animal cells?

Here are five major differences between plant and animal cells:

1. Appearance – Plant cells tend to have a more rectangular shape to them, while
animal cells are more circular in shape.
2. Cell Wall – Plants have a rigid cell wall surrounding the cell membrane. Animal
cells don’t even have a cell wall.
3. Energy – Plants are autotrophs, producing energy from sunlight (light energy)
through photosynthesis. The process is used for cell organelles that are called
chloroplasts. Animal cells produce energy from food (glucose) through a process
we call cellular respiration. This process occurs within mitochondria.
 4. Growth – Plants increase their cell count  (increase cell size) by becoming larger
in size – meaning they grow by absorbing water into the central vacuole. Animal
cells increase their size by increasing the number of cells they have.
5. Proteins – There are 20 amino acids needed to produce protein. Plant cells
synthesize all 20 amino acids. Animal cells, on the other hand, only can produce
10 of those amino acids naturally. Only through diet can the other ten be produced
in animal cells.

What do animal cells have that plants don’t?

Animal cells have organelles and other features that plant cells do not have. Only
animal cells, for example, have centrioles. Centrioles are cylindrical structures that
organize microtubules during the process of cell division. Lysosomes, Cilia, cytokinesis,
and other processes are also found in animal cells.

What do plant cells do?

Plant cells are the fundamental building blocks of all plants. The photosynthetic
process is the primary function of plant cells. Photosynthesis is the process of preparing
food/energy for plants that occurs in the chloroplast of plant cells. Plant cells accomplish
this through the use of sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.

Parts of an Animal Cell

The animal kingdom as a whole begins with one basic animal cell. Because animal cells
lack the rigidity of plant cells, they are more round and irregular in shape.

 Ribosomes – The ribosome is the smallest membrane-bound organelle part of

the animal cell that produces protein.
 Chloroplasts – The green chloroplast is a disc-shaped organelle that comprises
of a green-colored pigment called chlorophyll and is a part of the plant cell where
photosynthesis takes place.
 Cell membrane (both animal and plant cells) – The cell member is housed within
the cell wall and is the door that controls everything going in and out of the cell.
 For example, the cell membrane keeps toxins from entering the cell but keeps
nutrients and essential minerals in it.
 Cytoplasm (both animal and plant cells) – The cytoplasm of a cell is the living
substance contained within a cell (not including the nucleus) that contains the
enzymes.
 Nucleus (both animal and plant cells) – The nucleus and nuclei (plural) control all
of what occurs inside the cell (all the cell activities) and contain chromosomes.
 Mitochondria (both animal and plant cells) – These double-membrane organelles
are located within the cytoplasm of the eukaryotic cells. They produce energy by
breaking down sugar molecules and carbohydrates.

Anatomy of an Animal Cell

Parts of
a Plant Cell

The following parts make up a plant cell:

 Large central vacuole – The function of the central vacuole is to store water,
sustain turgor pressure against the cell wall, and holds the waste of plant cell. The
central vacuole consists of cell sap and is made up of salts, enzymes, and other
substances.
 Cell wall – The plant cell wall is a tough, rigid outer wall made up of cellulose. It
provides structural support to the cell.
  Chloroplasts – The chloroplast is a disc-shaped organelle that comprises a
green-colored pigment called chlorophyll and is a part of the plant cell where
photosynthesis takes place.
 Cell membrane (both animal and plant cells) – The cell member is housed within
the cell wall and is the door that controls everything going in and out of the cell.
For example, the cell membrane keeps toxins from entering the cell but keeps
nutrients and essential minerals in it.
 Cytoplasm (both animal and plant cells) – The cytoplasm of a cell is the living
substance contained within a cell (not including the nucleus) that contains the
enzymes.
 Nucleus (both animal and plant cells) – The nucleus and nuclei (plural) control all
of what occurs inside the cell (all the cell activities) and contain chromosomes.
The nucleus also carries genetic information (DNA) within it.
 Mitochondria (both animal and plant cells) – These double-membrane organelles
are located within the cytoplasm of the eukaryotic cells. They produce energy by
breaking down sugar molecules and carbohydrates.

Anatomy of a Plant Cell

Facts About Animal Cells

1. Animal cells are known as eukaryotic cells, meaning that they have a nucleus.
(NOTE: Prokaryotic cells are organisms with cells that do not have a nucleus and
other organelles.)
 2. During regular animal cell activity, some RNA and DNA strands can malfunction,
but the living cell has the ability to automatically fix itself. This is one of the coolest
things my kids remembered about animal cells.
3. If a cell is damaged, it immediately self-destructs so as to not damage any other
cells.
4. The animal cell is made up of starch, protein, lipid, and 70% water.
5. Plant cells are the smallest biological unit of life found in plants. They can be
between .01 and 1.0 millimeters in size and can’t be seen by the naked eye.

Facts About Plant Cells

1. Plants are also classified as eukaryotic cells (membrane-bound nucleus) because

they have a nucleus and organelles surrounded by a membrane.
2. Plant cells are the only living cells (so far) on the whole planet that can actually
make and produce their own food.
3. Cells are known as being round and irregular in shape, but plant cells are
rectangular and have a definite shape.
4. Plant cells have three organelles that an animal cell does not have – a vacuole,
cell wall, and chloroplast.
5. Since plants live on land AND in the water, plant cells have to help the plants
survive in either environment and adjust to the varying conditions in which it lives.

INSTRUCTIONS

(Wag na mag-include ng guide questions. Explain na lang clearly yung instructions.

Make sure na performance-based, NOT project-based).

RUBRICS

Standards
Criteria Adequate (50- Competent (60- Good (70-79%) Excellent (80-
59%) 69%) 100%)
Understanding The students The students The students The students
the concept displayed limited displayed some displayed displayed
and function knowledge about knowledge about considerable comprehensive
of plant and the plant and the plant and knowledge knowledge about
animal cells animal cells animal cells about the plant the plant and
and animal animal cells
cells
Identifying The students were The students The students The students
the parts of perplexed about showed some showed showed
plant and the components of knowledge about familiarity with comprehensive
animal cells plant and animal the components of the knowledge about
cells plant and animal components of the components of
cells plant and plant and animal
animal cells. cells

References:
https://homeschoolgiveaways.com/2022/06/facts-about-plant-and-animal-cells/
https://dailyskillbuilding.com/product/discovering-plants-and-animals-vol1/