ATP synthase and its role in mitochondria during respiration and chloroplasts during photosynthesis.

Overview:  I created this lab activity to provide my students with a fun way to learn about the components of the plant and animal cell.  Students will investigate and understand that all living things are composed of one or more cells that support life processes, as described by the cell theory. A key idea includes that the cell structure and organelles support life processes (SOL LS.2b).

The theory of how mitochondria, chloroplasts and other membrane-bound organelles in eukaryotic cell likely arose from a symbiosis between aerobic prokaryotes and host anaerobic eukaryotic ancestors. Developed by Lynn Margulis.

In this activity on page 1 of the PDF, learners compare the relative sizes of biological objects (like DNA and bacteria) that can't be seen by the naked eye. Learners will be surprised to discover the range of sizes in the microscopic world. This activity can be followed up with a second activity, "What's in a microbe?", located on page 3 in the same resource.

The structure and role of mitochondria (plural for mitochondrion). Outer membrane, inner membrane, cristae, porins, etc.