Jello Cell Dissection Lab WebQuest
PROCESS
Your supervisor (Teacher) will give you the megacell specimens...REMEMBER they are VERY RARE and we have a limitesd supply to work with...so the utmost care must be taken. Work slowly and carefully because once a dissection error has been made then there is no "undissecting" or going back. You were chosen as members of theis project because of your high level of skill and your attention to detail so I know you will be successful!
Once you have recieved your specimens you will take them to your respective work stations. Remeber to follow ALL Lab Safety Rules as you begin and maintain all safe procedures all the way to the completion of the dissection. This includes the disposal of the biowastes (megacell remains post dissection). Prior to beginning to do any work, discuss amongst yourself and finalize the decisions on your respective roles. Think about if your team will be considering rotating...you do not have to be firm on this decision, and can always change your mind as you get into the disection process, but it is still best to roughly formulate a plan of rotation just in case you decide to do so.
Now that you have prepped your space, taken all necessary Lab Safety Precautions, and decided upon your respective roles...revisit the "Roles Responsibilities" one final time on the smart board. Now your team may begin the process of megacell dissection. Remeber to carefully document any and all observations. Do not be afraid to communicate with lab report writer or photo journalist throughout the dissection process to ensure all observations are documented. We want to learn as much as we can about these very special cells.
Each member may rotate roles to allow for all to take part in the actual dissection, but your assigned role means you are specifically responsible for your component of the final product. So if you rotate...over see the lab report notes as they are being done...or the photography that occurs...do what must be done to ensure your groups final outcomes are cooperative, complete and of high quality.
Upon completion and individual reflection, each group will come together and compare their findings with one another to discuss any potential descrepencies. This process will help our scientific team come to a full consensus on each organelles are present and their respective description. Individual team members will then post photographs of megacell dissection on their individual Biology Web Portfolios as a culmination of the dissection.
As an extention activity of the dissection you will research given internet resources as individuals and groups to further solidify your knowledge of organelle functions. You will post comments and details about your findings, as members of expert groups, to build a common body of knowledge about cell structure and function for future reference and EOC preparation. You will read and refelct on the posts of others to prepare for a culminating jigsaw activity. After the jigsaw activirty you are encouraged look at the other groups resource links and fact check what you discovered during the share out time. Make any extra posts for clarification or correction as necessary to benefit the group.
Once you have recieved your specimens you will take them to your respective work stations. Remeber to follow ALL Lab Safety Rules as you begin and maintain all safe procedures all the way to the completion of the dissection. This includes the disposal of the biowastes (megacell remains post dissection). Prior to beginning to do any work, discuss amongst yourself and finalize the decisions on your respective roles. Think about if your team will be considering rotating...you do not have to be firm on this decision, and can always change your mind as you get into the disection process, but it is still best to roughly formulate a plan of rotation just in case you decide to do so.
Now that you have prepped your space, taken all necessary Lab Safety Precautions, and decided upon your respective roles...revisit the "Roles Responsibilities" one final time on the smart board. Now your team may begin the process of megacell dissection. Remeber to carefully document any and all observations. Do not be afraid to communicate with lab report writer or photo journalist throughout the dissection process to ensure all observations are documented. We want to learn as much as we can about these very special cells.
Each member may rotate roles to allow for all to take part in the actual dissection, but your assigned role means you are specifically responsible for your component of the final product. So if you rotate...over see the lab report notes as they are being done...or the photography that occurs...do what must be done to ensure your groups final outcomes are cooperative, complete and of high quality.
Upon completion and individual reflection, each group will come together and compare their findings with one another to discuss any potential descrepencies. This process will help our scientific team come to a full consensus on each organelles are present and their respective description. Individual team members will then post photographs of megacell dissection on their individual Biology Web Portfolios as a culmination of the dissection.
As an extention activity of the dissection you will research given internet resources as individuals and groups to further solidify your knowledge of organelle functions. You will post comments and details about your findings, as members of expert groups, to build a common body of knowledge about cell structure and function for future reference and EOC preparation. You will read and refelct on the posts of others to prepare for a culminating jigsaw activity. After the jigsaw activirty you are encouraged look at the other groups resource links and fact check what you discovered during the share out time. Make any extra posts for clarification or correction as necessary to benefit the group.
Roles:
Dissector
This role will be in charge of wieding the scalpul, carefully assessing where the next cut will be (the assumption is there will be some discussion with team members throughout the dissection), making suppositions about which organelles are found along with reasoning to support the supposition (again communication and respectful debate is expected), and will be reponsible for containing and properly disposing of all biowastes throught the process and afterward as clean up ensues.
Lab Report Writer
This role will be in charge of the rough lab notes on the lab documents, as well as the final lab report presented for the group. The report writer will document all observations and record any team suppositions or discrepencies as they may arise. This role is a crucial element in the discussion process regarding the suppositions the team may make about the observations during the dissection. All decisions must be reviewed and acceptable to group members and, if any disagreements remain, they must be duly noted ion the report. The process is as important as (if not more so than) the outcome...good process leads to reliable and repeatable results.
Lab Report Download Link
Photo Journalist
This role is essential because a picture is worth a thousand words. The photo journalist and the report writer must keep in constant contact to ensure photo order is recorded accurately, and therefore documentable to support the various observations and suppositional decisions made by the team. Another key element which the photo journalist must consider is that all team members are reliant on the photo journalist to ensure they have adequate and quality photo documentation for their individual web portfolio postings. The photojournalist will help others to post their pictures if they are struggling with the process.
Extension:
Because your group are now the experts on this new cell line, you have been asked to research the organelle functions as our current scientific understanding has elaboorated to this point, and use that knowledge to determine if the megacell organelles function in a similar manner. If there is any disrepency you will move forward to analyze and determine actual organelle functionality as necessary.
You have decided to divide the research up into three parts and then reconvene to share out what you have learned with you peers in the group. this will work to develop a body of knowledge for the group to consult as you begin the next phase of megacell research. You are anxiously waiting for the funding to be approved for the project, so you want to get this research done now. You want nothing to delay the project and want to start right away when you get the grant approval. You divide the research as follows:
Dissector:
Nucleus (DNA and Nucleolous), Cell Cycle
Lab Report Writer:
Lysosome, Peroxisome, Vacoules, Cell Metabolism
Photo Journalist:
Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi Apparatus, Cell Membranes
You will find your research tools on the RESOURSES page. Don't forget to consult rubric for specific guidelines. As you complete this research you will post on the discussion board what you have learned and thereby create a written body of knowledge for the whole tean to consult in the future. You will also meet and discuss your postings with one another as a jigsaw activity to complete your experience.
END PRODUCTS:
Complete the Lab Report
Research Links and Post on Discussion Blog
Reconvene and Refine Knowledge of Cell Organelles
Update Blog as Necessary (Ongoing Process)
Conclusions:
Are these cells similar to the ones you researched?
Do you anticipate similar functions of the organelles?
How could this activity be improved?