Mitosis, or somatic cell division, involves the division of one cell into two after all of the components of the original cell (including the DNA!) divide into two sets. We began by watching a Crash Course video about mitosis:
After the video, students were assigned to read pages 46-51 of chapter 4 (Cellular Reproduction: Multiplication By Division) of Inside the Cell. Students then answered the following questions in their lab notebooks:
- Explain the purpose of mitosis.
- Which cells undergo mitosis?
- Describe the phases of mitosis in detail (words and/or drawings).
- Explain what happens when cells divide uncontrollably. List the known causes of uncontrolled cell division.
This unit is focused specifically on NGSS Standard HS-LS1-4: Use a model to illustrate the role of cellular division (mitosis) and differentiation in producing and maintaining complex organisms.
Updated: November 28
We continued our introductory lesson with a PowerPoint slide deck reviewing the key concepts from yesterday. Students also received back their Unit 2 Exams with instructions on how to revise and resubmit the exam to recover partial credit (below):
Students had the remainder of the class period to work on lab reports or complete the reading assignment from yesterday. As a reminder, the reading assignment is due on Thursday (11/30).
The Art of Science 