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Lesson 1 of 84 · Evolution
ExperimentCells: The Building Blocks of Life
What You'll Learn
Cells are the basic units of life. All living things are made of one or more cells. Plant cells have cell walls and chloroplasts that animal cells lack.
Key Words
- cell
- nucleus
Materials Needed
- onion skin
- iodine stain
- paper
- colored pencils
- coins (for Punnett squares)
Safety First
- Dispose of materials properly after the experiment.
Steps
Step 1 — Read
Read about Evolution and write down three key facts.
Step 2 — Do
Prepare a wet-mount slide of an onion skin and observe it under a microscope (or magnifying glass). Draw and label the cell wall, cell membrane, and nucleus.
Step 3 — Observe
Observe what happens and describe it in detail.
Step 4 — Record
Record your observations in your science journal with measurements and descriptions.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3What is the basic unit of life?