In this Grade 5 lesson from Science: A Closer Look, Chapter 1, students learn that all living things are made of cells, the smallest unit capable of carrying out basic life processes. Students explore key vocabulary including organism, unicellular, multicellular, chlorophyll, tissue, organ, and organ system, and use microscopes to compare plant-leaf cells and animal-blood cells. The lesson builds foundational understanding of how cells divide and work together in multicellular organisms to support survival.
Section 1
Cells Build All Living Organisms
Cells are the basic building blocks of life. Both unicellular organisms (made of one cell) and multicellular organisms (made of many cells) carry out essential life processes like growing, responding, reproducing, and obtaining food.
Section 2
Plant and Animal Cells Contain Different Structures
Animal cells have flexible cell membranes, while plant cells have rigid cell walls. Plant cells also contain chloroplasts for making food and large central vacuoles for storing water that animal cells lack.
Section 3
Organisms Organize Cells Into Complex Systems
In multicellular organisms, similar cells form tissues, tissues form organs, and organs work together in organ systems. This organization allows specialized cells to perform different functions while supporting the entire organism.
Section 4
Cell Membranes Control Material Movement
Cell membranes regulate what enters and exits cells. Substances move from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration until balanced, as demonstrated when eggs change mass after being placed in different solutions.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter
Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.
Section 1
Cells Build All Living Organisms
Cells are the basic building blocks of life. Both unicellular organisms (made of one cell) and multicellular organisms (made of many cells) carry out essential life processes like growing, responding, reproducing, and obtaining food.
Section 2
Plant and Animal Cells Contain Different Structures
Animal cells have flexible cell membranes, while plant cells have rigid cell walls. Plant cells also contain chloroplasts for making food and large central vacuoles for storing water that animal cells lack.
Section 3
Organisms Organize Cells Into Complex Systems
In multicellular organisms, similar cells form tissues, tissues form organs, and organs work together in organ systems. This organization allows specialized cells to perform different functions while supporting the entire organism.
Section 4
Cell Membranes Control Material Movement
Cell membranes regulate what enters and exits cells. Substances move from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration until balanced, as demonstrated when eggs change mass after being placed in different solutions.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter