In this activity, students are introduced to cells. They learn that we are made up of cells. Students also learn how to use a microscope to observe onion cells.
Bacteria cells
Bacteria cells are single-celled organisms – they can live by themselves.
From left to right: Campylobacter bacteria; the Bacillus subtilis bacterium found in soil and the Helicobacter bacteria that is known to cause stomach ulcers.
Helicobacter bacteria courtesy of David Gregory & Debbie Marshall, Wellcome Images
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
- explain very simply what a cell is
- explain in simple terms how people grow
- use a microscope to observe onion cells.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
- introduction/background notes
- what you need
- what to do.
Related activity ideas
The Extracting DNA activity helps students conceptualise DNA by extracting it from tomatoes.
Use the activity Inside a cell to help your students learn about the contents of a cell. They explore some of the main organelles within a cell using the analogy of a school, an online game and/or by making something edible.
Microscope parts involves identifying and labelling the main parts of a microscope and describing their function.
The unit plan Fighting infection – reducing infection along with the Science Learning Hub suite of resources on Fighting infection is designed to help primary school teachers improve students’ understanding of infection and how to prevent diseases from spreading.
