UNIT OVERVIEW

Every living thing is made of cells. A cell is the smallest unit that can carry out all the activities needed to stay alive. Whether you look at a large animal, a tiny bacterium, or a plant, you will find cells.

In this unit, you will learn:

• What cells are made of (their molecular composition)
• How scientists discovered cells (history of microscopy and cell theory)
• The different parts inside cells and what each part does (organelles)
• How plant and animal cells are different
• How substances move in and out of cells (diffusion, osmosis, active transport)
• How to use a light microscope and make scientific drawings
• How to calculate magnification and actual size