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Introduction to cell theory--the idea that 1) all living things are made of one or more cells, 2) cells are the basic unit of life and 3) all cells come from other cells. Explore the roles that Hooke, Leeuwenhoek and others played in developing cell theory.

Hooke and Leeuwenhoek were two of the first scientists to use microscopes to study the microscopic world of cells. Hooke coined the term "cell" after observing the tiny compartments in cork, while Leeuwenhoek discovered a variety of living creatures in pond water, blood, and other samples. They contributed to the cell theory by suggesting that cells are the fundamental units of life and structure, and that all living things consist of one or more cells that originate from other cells by division. 

All living things are made up of cells, which is the smallest unit that can be said to be alive. An organism may consist of one single cell (unicellular) or many different numbers and types of cells (multicellular).

Meiosis is a process where germ cells divide to produce gametes, such as sperm and egg cells. In prophase I of meiosis, chromosomes condense and homologous recombination takes place, leading to genetic variation through chromosomal crossover. This forms a tetrad, which is made up of four chromatids (two sister chromatids per chromosome).

Outcomes:

• Determine what color the person sees for various combinations of red, green, and blue light.
• Describe the color of light that is able to pass through different colored filters.

Plant cells have a cell wall in addition to a cell membrane, whereas animal cells have only a cell membrane. Plants use cell walls to provide structure to the plant. Plant cells contain organelles called chloroplasts, while animal cells do not. Chloroplasts allow plants to make the food they need to live using photosynthesis.

Comparison of the processes of mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis produces two diploid (2n) somatic cells that are genetically identical to each other and the original parent cell, whereas meiosis produces four haploid (n) gametes that are genetically unique from each other and the original parent (germ) cell. Mitosis involves one cell division, whereas meiosis involves two cell divisions.

Outcomes:

• Describe how the concept of density relates to an object's mass and volume.
• Explain how objects of similar mass can have differing volume, and how objects of similar volume can have differing mass.
• Explain why changing an object's mass or volume does not affect its density (ie, understand density as an intensive property).
• Measure the volume of an object by observing the amount of fluid it displaces.
• Identify an unknown material by calculating its density and comparing to a table of known densities.

Learn about DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Overview of DNA bases, complementary base pairing, and the structure of the double helix.

When two objects interacting through a field change relative position, the energy stored in the field is changed.

• Explain the Conservation of Mechanical Energy concept using kinetic energy (KE) and gravitational potential energy (PE).
• Describe how the Energy Bar and Pie Charts relate to position and speed.
• Explain how changing the Skater Mass affects energy.
• Explain how changing the Track Friction affects energy.
• Predict position or estimate speed from Energy Bar and Pie Charts.
• Calculate speed or height at one position from information about a different position.
• Calculate KE and PE at one position from information about a different position.
• Design a skate park using the concepts of mechanical energy and energy conservation.