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Building Animal Cells | Virtual Lab

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High School
Higher Education
Biology
Building Animal Cells
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About This Simulation

Help determine what a bear ate before it died by building the structure and choose the internal organelles of the four basic types of animal cells found inside the bear’s mouth.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the different intracellular and extracellular components forming eukaryotic cells

About This Simulation

Level:
High School
Higher Education
Length:
15
Min
Accessibility Mode:
Available
Languages:
English
Spanish
French
German
Italian

Lab Techniques

  • Microscopic analysis
  • Cell observation
No lab techniques are listed for this simulation.

Related Standards

University:
  • Early Stage Bachelors Level
  • EHEA First Cycle
  • EHEA Short Cycle
  • FHEQ 4
  • US College Year 1
  • FHEQ 5
  • FHEQ 6
NGSS:
  • LS1.A-M2
  • LS1.A-H1
AP:
  • Biology Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function
LB:
  • Biology 1.1 Introduction to cells
  • Biology 1.2 Ultrastructure of cells
No related standards are listed for this simulation.

Learn More About This Simulation

This short, targeted simulation is adapted from the full-length “Cell Structure: Cell theory and internal organelles” simulation.

In this simulation, you will learn about the structures and internal organelles of animal cells. Physical structures of the four basic animal cell types will be highlighted and the function and importance of each internal organelle will be discussed. Oh, and you will have to take a tissue sample from inside the mouth of a bear. Watch out for the sharp teeth!

Investigate a bear’s death 

Hikers have discovered a dead bear on their trail and it’s your mission to determine why it died. Maybe it was poisoned or maybe it died of underlying causes such as old age? Standing in the middle of a secluded forest, you must build up the courage to take a sample from inside the bear’s mouth. Then, build the potentially deadly organism by building 4 cells representative of each basic type of animal tissue: neural, epithelial, muscle and connective tissue. 

Build the cells 

Students will be challenged to choose the correct internal organelles for the animal cells. You will learn about the function and importance of the nucleus, ER, cytoskeleton, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, ribosomes, and mitochondria. Then, determine which cellular structures are unique to specific animal cells such as sarcomeres, tight junctions, axons, dendrites and the extracellular matrix. 

Uncover the mysterious death of the bear Put together everything you have learned about organelles and cellular structures to build each type of cell in the mystery organism. At the end, will you be able to figure out what killed the bear and uncover the mystery?

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What is a Labster virtual lab?

A Labster virtual lab is an interactive, multimedia assignment that students access right from their computers. Many Labster virtual labs prepare students for success in college by introducing foundational knowledge using multimedia visualizations that make it easier to understand complex concepts. Other Labster virtual labs prepare learners for careers in STEM labs by giving them realistic practice on lab techniques and procedures.

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Labster’s virtual lab simulations are created by scientists and designed to maximize engagement and interactivity. Unlike watching a video or reading a textbook, Labster virtual labs are interactive. To make progress, students must think critically and solve a real-world problem. We believe that learning by doing makes STEM stick.

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