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About Comparing Bacterial Structures (NEW) Virtual Lab Simulation
This short, targeted simulation is adapted from the full-length “Bacterial Cell Structure” simulation.
Global warming is causing the ice to melt in Antarctica, leading to the discovery of bacteria that have survived this extreme environment. In this simulation, you will learn about bacterial cell structures and how these are important for bacterial survival. Discover which structural features have allowed the antarctica bacteria to survive in the extreme conditions.
Compare the outer cell structures
You will start your mission by comparing the outer bacterial cell structure to that of the eukaryotic cell. Explore the similarities and differences between the two cell structures by comparing features such as the cell shapes and the cell walls/membranes. Consider the purpose of the cell wall/membrane and how it helps the survival of the cells.
Assemble the inner cell structures
Assemble the cytoplasmic content of the bacterial and the eukaryotic cell. Look at the names of each organelle or cellular component and decide which cell you should place them in. Get feedback about your decisions, and try again if you placed a component incorrectly. Compare the different components in the two cells, such as the nucleus and nucleoid. Can you place all the components in the cells correctly?
Compare the bacterial cell structures
Finally, you will compare your bacterial cell structures to other bacteria and learn which cellular structures are important for the bacteria to survive in extreme environments. Study the structures of E. coli, coccus bacterium, and vibrio bacteria. Learn the function of each component. Can you help the Arctic researchers decide which features aid the survival of the bacteria?
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Techniques in Lab
Concept-based simulation
Learning Objectives
- Describe the general bacterial cell structure and function
- Describe the general bacterial cytoplasmic content and compare it to eukaryotic cytoplasmic content.
- Describe special features of bacteria such as plasmids, flagella or inclusion bodies and how they are necessary for bacteria to survive.
Simulation Features
Examples of Related Standards
Biology/Microbiology related 1st and 2nd year
No direct alignment
Biology 1.2 Ultrastructure of cells
Biology 7.2 Variation in populations
Collaborators
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