Under the Microscope: Sorting Life by Its Cells
Sim Lesson
Students use the Under the Microscope simulation to collect organisms from different environments and examine their cells, then use the Tuva Data Tools to group the organisms by whether their cells have a nucleus. They discover the largest split in the living world and how further cell features sort life into kingdoms. Lesson Purpose The simulation never names domains or kingdoms. Students build the classification themselves from the cell features they record, discovering that "has a nucleus or not" is the first, biggest division of living things.
Every living thing is made of cells, but not all cells are built the same way. Some cells keep their genetic material inside a wrapped-up nucleus; others do not. Some organisms are a single cell; others are made of many. In this lesson you will collect organisms from different places, look at their cells under the microscope, and record what you see. Then you will use the Tuva Data Tools to sort your organisms and find the patterns scientists use to classify all of life.
Topics and standards: Science, Biology, Life Science, Simulation, Diversity of Life, Forms of Life, Cells & Life Processes, SC.6.L.15.1, 7-LS1-2, TEKS Science 7.14.A