Cells: The Building Blocks

Summary
This lesson introduces the student to cellular theory.

Objectives
• To be able to identify the some of the key parts of organic cells.

• To be able to describe the functions of some organelles.

Suggested Grades
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade

Excerpt
Cells are the tiny building blocks of living things. Many cells are so small that they can only be seen with a microscope. An English scientist named Robert Hooke first discovered cells over 300 years ago. Hooke discovered cells while examining cork under a microscope. When he was looking at the cork, he noticed a pattern of small squares. These squared were boxy and reminded Hooke of little rooms. He named these squares ?cells,? after cella, which is the Latin word for room. Once microscopes became more advanced, scientists were able to study the insides of cells and found different structures.

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