In this unit, students look at the components of cells and their functions and discover the controversy behind stem cell research. The first lesson focuses on the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In the second lesson, students learn about the basics of cellular respiration. They also learn about the application of cellular respiration to engineering and bioremediation. The third lesson continues students' education on cells in the human body and how (and why) engineers are involved in the research of stem cell behavior.

This pathway explores the different types of cells, including eukaryotic, prokaryotic and plant cells, and their structures.

This pathway provides an introduction to cells as the basic unit of life and their structure and function. Prokaryotic, eukaryotic and plant cells are compared and the structure and function of different organelles is discussed. For a deeper look at this topic, we recommend the pathway Cell Structure from the OpenStax textbook Biology for AP® Courses.

An introduction to the structure of two different types of cells: eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. [2:14]

Find out about the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and learn about bacteria and archaea in this video. [6:50]

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This video segment explores the astounding diversity of the world's smallest life forms: single-celled organisms. [3:43]

Students culture cells in order to find out which type of surfactant (in this case, soap) is best at removing bacteria. Groups culture cells from unwashed hands and add regular bar soap, regular liquid soap, anti-bacterial soap, dishwasher soap, and hand sanitizer to the cultures. The cultures are allowed to grow for two days and then the students assess which type of soap design did the best job of removing bacteria cells from unwashed hands. Students extend their knowledge of engineering and surfactants for different environmental applications.

This video describes how bacterial cells can be made to take up foreign DNA in the lab through a process called transformation.