7th Grade

Chapter 3: From a Cell

to an Organism
Life Science
 Lesson 1: The Cell Cycle and Cell Division

Essential Questions
1. What are the phases of the cell cycle?
2. Why is the result of the cell cycle important?
Lesson 1: The Cell Cycle and Cell Division

Vocabulary
1. cell cycle: a cycle of growth, development, and
division that most cells in an organism go through
2. centromere: the structure that holds together two
sister chromatids
3. cytokinesis: the stage in which the cytoplasm and its
contents divide
4. daughter cells: the two new cells that result from
mitosis
Lesson 1: The Cell Cycle and Cell Division

Vocabulary
5. interphase: the period of a cell’s growth and
development
6. mitosis: the phase in which the nucleus and its
contents divide
7. sister chromatids: two identical chromosomes that
make up a duplicated chromosome
The Cell Cycle

Most cells in an organism go through a cycle of growth,

development, and division called the cell cycle. The cell
cycle makes it possible for organisms:
• to grow and develop,
• to replace cells that are old or damaged, and
• to produce new cells.
Phases of the Cell Cycle

There are two main phases in the cell cycle. These

phases are interphase and the mitotic phase.

Interphase is the period of a cell’s growth and

development.

A cell spends most of its life in interphase.

Phases of the Cell Cycle

During Interphase
Most cells go through three stages during interphase:
● rapid growth and replication, or copying, of the
membrane-bound structures called organelles,
● copying of DNA, the genetic information in a cell, and
● preparation for cell division.

Interphase is followed by a shorter phase of the cell

cycle called the mitotic phase.
Phases of the Cell Cycle

During the Mitotic Phase

A cell reproduces during the mitotic phase. The mitotic
phase has two stages:
● During the first stage, the contents of the nucleus
divide.
● During the second stage, the cell’s fluid, or cytoplasm,
divides.
The mitotic phase creates two new identical cells. The
original cell no longer exists.
Length of a Cell Cycle

The time it takes a cell to complete the cell cycle

depends on the type of cell that is dividing.

The cell cycle for some eukaryotic cells might only take
eight minutes. The cell cycle for other eukaryotic cells
might take up to one year.

Most of the cells in the human body can complete the

cell cycle in about 24 hours.
Interphase

A new cell begins interphase with a period of rapid

growth, in which the cell gets bigger. Each cell that is
actively dividing copies its DNA and prepares for cell
division.

A cell’s DNA is called chromatin during interphase.

Chromatin is long, thin strands of DNA in the nucleus.
During interphase, the nucleus looks like a plate of
spaghetti.
Results of Cell Division

The cell cycle results in two new cells. These daughter

cells are genetically the same. They also are the same as
the original cell that no longer exists.

A human cell has 46 chromosomes. When that cell

divides, it produces two new cells, each with 46
chromosomes.
Results of Cell Division

The cell cycle is important:

● for reproduction in some organisms,
● for growth in multicellular organisms,
● for replacing worn-out or damaged cells, and
● for repairing damaged tissues.
Lesson 2: Levels of Organization 11 November 2022

Essential Questions
1. How do unicellular and multicellular organisms differ?
2. How does cell differentiation lead to the organization
within a multicellular organism?
 11 November 2022
Lesson 2: Levels of Organization

Essential Questions
1. How do unicellular and multicellular organisms
differ?
2. How does cell differentiation lead to the
organization within a multicellular organism?
 11 November 2022
Lesson 2: Levels of Organization

Vocabulary to complete a series of

1. cell differentiation: the tasks
process by which cells 4. stem cell: an unspecified
become different types of cell that is able to develop
cells into many different cell
2. organ: a group of tissues types
working together to 5. tissue: a group of similar
perform a particular job types of cells that work
3. organ system: a group of together to carry out
organs that work together specific tasks
Life’s Organization

● All matter is made of atoms.

● Atoms combine and form molecules.
● Molecules make up cells.
● Recall that some organisms are made of only one cell.
● These unicellular organisms carry out all the activities
necessary to survive, such as absorbing nutrients and
getting rid of wastes.
● No matter their sizes, all organisms are made of cells.
Unicellular Organisms

● Unicellular organisms have only one cell. These

organisms do all the things needed for their survival
within that one cell.
● An amoeba is a unicellular organism. It takes in, or
ingests, other unicellular organisms for food to get
energy. Unicellular organisms also respond to their
environment, get rid of waste, grow, and reproduce.
● Unicellular organisms include both prokaryotes and
some eukaryotes.
Prokaryotes

● A cell without a membrane-bound nucleus is a

prokaryotic cell. Prokaryotic cells are smaller than
eukaryotic cells, and also have fewer cell structures.
● A unicellular organism made of one prokaryotic cell is
called a prokaryote. Some prokaryotes live in groups
called colonies. Some can also live in extreme
environments. The heat-loving bacteria that live in
hot springs get their energy from sulfur instead of
light.
Eukaryotes

● A eukaryotic cell has a nucleus surrounded by a

membrane and many specialized organelles.
● A unicellular organism that is made of one eukaryotic
cell is called a eukaryote. There are thousands of
different unicellular eukaryotes. The alga that grows
on the inside of an aquarium and the fungus that
causes athlete’s foot are unicellular eukaryotes.
 Cell 1 Cell 2

Prokaryote Eukaryote
No membrane in the nucleus. Membrane-bound nucleus.
Less organelles. More organelles.
Multicellular Organisms

● A multicellular organism is made of many eukaryotic

cells working together. Each type of cell in a
multicellular organism has a specific job that is
important to the survival of the organism.
Cell Differentiation

● Remember that all cells in a multicellular organism

come from one cell, a fertilized egg. Cell division
starts quickly after fertilization. The first cells made
can become any type of cell, such as a muscle cell, a
nerve cell, or a blood cell. The process by which cells
become different types of cells is called cell
differentiation.
Cell Differentiation

● A cell’s instructions are contained in its

chromosomes. Nearly all the cells in an organism have
identical sets of chromosomes. If an organism’s cells
have identical sets of instructions, how can the cells
be different? Different cell types use different parts
of the instructions on the chromosomes. A few of the
many different types of cells that can result from cell
differentiation are shown in the figure below.
Cell Differentiation

● Animal Stem Cells Not all cells in a developing animal

differentiate. Stem cells are unspecified cells that are
able to develop into many different cell types. There
are many stem cells in embryos but fewer in adult
organisms. Adult stem cells are important for cell
repair and replacement. For example, stem cells in
blood marrow can produce more than a dozen
different types of blood cells. Stem cells in your
muscles can produce new muscle cells.
Cell Differentiation

● Plant Cells Plants also have unspecialized cells. These

cells are grouped in areas called meristems.
Meristems are in different areas of a plant, including
the tips of roots and stems. Cell division in meristems
produces different types of plant cells with
specialized structures and functions. These functions
include transporting materials, making and storing
food, or protecting the plant. Meristem cells might
become part of stems, leaves, flowers, or roots.
Tissues

● Tissues are groups of similar types of cells that work

together to carry out specific tasks. Most animals,
including humans, have four main types of tissues.
These are muscle tissue, connective tissue, nervous
tissue, and epithelial tissue.
Tissues

● Muscle tissue makes movement possible.

● Connective tissue provides structure and support.
● Nervous tissue carries messages to and from the
brain.
● Epithelial tissue forms the protective outer layer of
skin and the lining of major organs and internal body
cavities.
Tissues

● Plants also have different types of tissues. The three

main types of plant tissue are dermal tissue, vascular
tissue, and ground tissue.
● Dermal tissue provides protection and helps reduce
water loss.
● Vascular tissue transports water and nutrients from
one part of a plant to another.
● Ground tissue provides storage and support.
Photosynthesis takes place in ground tissue.
Organs

● Organs are groups of different tissues working

together to perform a particular job.
● Your stomach is an organ that breaks down food. It is
made of all four types of tissue: muscle, epithelial,
nervous, and connective.
● Each type of tissue performs a specific function
necessary for the stomach to work properly and
break down food.
 Organs

1. BRAIN Nervous system

8. VEINS Circulatory system

2. NERVES Nervous system

9. SKIN Integumentary system

3. STOMACH Digestive system

10. HAIR Integumentary system

4. LARGE INTESTINE Digestive

system 11. PENIS Reproductive system

5. LUNGS Respiratory system 12. VAGINA Reproductive system

6. THROAT Respiratory system 13. KIDNEY Excretory system

7. HEART Circulatory system 14. BLADDER Excretory system

Organs

● Muscle tissue contracts and breaks up food.

● Epithelial tissue lines the stomach.
● Nervous tissue signals when the stomach is full.
● Connective tissue supports the stomach wall.
Organs

● A leaf is an organ specialized for photosynthesis. Each

leaf is made of dermal tissue, ground tissue, and
vascular tissue.
● Dermal tissue covers the outer surface of a leaf. The
leaf contains ground tissue that produces food for
the rest of the plant. Ground tissue is where
photosynthesis takes place.
● Vascular tissue moves both the food produced by
photosynthesis and water throughout the leaf and
plant.
Organ Systems

● Most organs do not function alone. Organ systems

are groups of different organs that work together to
complete a series of tasks. Human organ systems can
be made of many different organs working together.
○ For example, the digestive system: stomach, small
intestine, liver, large intestine.
● These organs all work together to break down food.
Blood absorbs and transports nutrients from food to
cells throughout the body.
Organ Systems

● Plants have two main organ systems—the shoot

system and the root system.
● The shoot system includes leaves, stems, and flowers.
● The shoot system transports food and water
throughout the plant.
● The root system anchors the plant and takes in water
and nutrients.
Organisms

● Multicellular organisms usually have many organ

systems. The cells of these systems work together
and carry out all the jobs needed for the organism to
survive.
● There are many organ systems in the human body.
Each organ system depends on the others and cannot
work alone.
● For example, the respiratory system and circulatory
system carry oxygen throughout the body.