Italicized font represents information to be shared orally or physically completed with the students at this time.

The non-italicized font represents additional information included to support the teacher’s understanding of the content being introduced within the CELL.

ASK WHY

Remind students that all known living things are made of cells. Studying cells helps us understand how living things function.

BRANCH OUT

Remind students that cytotechnologists are responsible for the preliminary interpretation of specimens from body sites, such as the lung, bladder, central nervous system, and liver, etc. Cytotechnologists often work in collaboration with pathologists to diagnose benign and infectious processes, precancerous lesions, and malignant disease.

GET FOCUSED

Inform students that the Investigation is designed to help them to answer the following Focus Questions:

• How does staining affect the appearance of a specimen? Student answers will vary. Staining of specimens may add artificial color to the cells to allow various structures to be more easily viewed.

• How does sectioning affect the appearance of a specimen? Student answers will vary. Observations of the size, shape, and arrangement of cells can be affected by the sectioning of the specimen.

Note: These questions are located in students’ SDRs at the beginning and end of the Investigation.

Note: These are succinct responses to the Focus Questions and are placed here for your reference at this time. Fully developed responses to the Focus Questions can be found on the PostLab page.

GO DEEPER

As a class, read the Background(s) in the Investigation. Have students read the information aloud or silently to themselves. When students have finished, discuss the following concepts as a class:

• Before you look at a specimen on a slide, it must be prepared.
• Often when a scientist prepares a slide, it is stained with a substance that colors the different parts of the cell.
• Specimens must be cut so that they fit on a slide and are able to be viewed under a microscope.
• The process of cutting is called sectioning. The way a specimen is sectioned depends on the specimen and which parts of the cell are to be observed.
• There are two types of sectioning: cross and longitudinal.

Note: These concepts are integrated into the Background(s) and are used to deepen students’ comprehension of the big ideas.

LEARN THE LabLearner LINGO

• The following list includes Key Terms that are introduced in the Investigation Background(s). They should be used, as appropriate, by teachers and students during everyday classroom discourse.

  • sectioning
  • staining

  Note: Definitions to these terms can be found on the Introduction page to the CELL.

  Note: Additional words may be bolded within the Background(s). These words are not Key Terms and are strictly emphasized for exposure at this time.

SET FOR SUCCESS

• • Direct students to complete the Recall section in their SDRs. Student answers will vary.
  • Ask yourself what you remember about the animal and plant cells you looked at. What shape were they? What features did they have?
  • In your next Investigation, you will look at cells that have been prepared in two different ways. Make a prediction about what you will see! Will the slides you see look the same even though they have been prepared differently?
  • Play the video below. Stop to ask students questions or answer students’ questions when necessary. Remind students to follow along with their SDRs and make any notes that they think might be helpful.
  • After the video, direct students to divide into their lab groups to discuss their strategy for the lab. For example, they may assign certain group members to perform specific functions during the lab.

  Note: The purpose of the video is to allow students to anticipate the laboratory experience they will soon encounter. Students should leave this PreLab session with a firm idea of what to expect and how to perform in the lab.

  Note: Homework is posted below the video.

HOMEWORK

Tell students that they should review the Investigation in preparation for the Lab.