Materials: computer, xerox copies of video frames and colored pencils

Tired of the flat, simplistic looking cheek cell!! This packet will give your students an opportunity to see living cells in a dynamic state, moving, dividing, interacting with each other as they are in their normal environment. Even if you do not decide to undertake any of the subsequent activities, use this video to give your students a realistic view of a living cell. Make cells come alive!

There are three activities in this packet. They can be done individually as part of a class or lab. You should read the activities and determine how long you would like to spend on each one. They are open-ended with questions and extensions after each activity. Download the activities and question/extensions to computer stations where students will be working.

The activities fit well with the topics of cell structure and function and cell division and mitosis. They can be used to illustrate the principles of cell division in animal cells and the role of the cytoskeleton in cell movement. The process of cell movement shown in the video clip is similar to that in a cancer cell, a phagocyte and an amoeba.

The activities can be modified to meet several different learning styles. Students can describe the cellular events in writing, measure and calculate specific relationships, or make cell models to reflect the process of cell division and movement.

It is also possible to establish quantitative relationships in terms of the rate of motion of cells in the video. This will challenge students to establish a strategy for measuring the distances that cells move as well as calculating the average rate of motion of a cell.

Suggestions for all of these activities follow. Answers to questions can be found at the end of the activity.