Smallest thing
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/sci_update.cfm?DocID=289
A lesson plan for grade 8 Science
Learn more
Help
Please read our disclaimer for lesson plans.
Legal
This catalog record is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License. This license applies to the content of this page only and does not apply to the referenced website.
In this Science Update, students explore the world’s smallest living creature. Microbiologist Mike Conrad of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill says that the smallest living organism is a parasitic bacterium called Mycoplasma genitalium that is about one five-thousandth of a millimeter in diameter. He even suggests that some viruses can be up to ten times smaller–like the poliovirus. Scientists generally agree that living things have certain characteristics that distinguish them from non-living things. Among them are: living things are composed of one or more cells; they metabolize (produce and use energy); they can grow; they can respond to external stimuli; they can adapt to their environment; and they can reproduce. Science NetLinks provides a link to the audio file, a written transcript, and questions to engage students in discussion about the smallest living thing, why this is a difficult concept, and why there is disagreement about viruses actually being alive. This activity also contains links to Cells Alive! and “Is it time to revise the system of scientific naming?” an article by National Geographic News.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 8
- Goal 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
- Objective 1.01: Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
- Objective 1.05: Analyze evidence to:
- explain observations.
- make inferences and predictions.
- develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.
- Objective 1.08: Use oral and written language to:
- Communicate findings.
- Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.
- Describe strengths and weaknesses of claims, arguments, and/or data.
- Objective 1.09: Use technologies and information systems to:
- Research.
- Gather and analyze data.
- Visualize data.
- Disseminate findings to others.
- Objective 1.10: Analyze and evaluate information from a scientifically literate viewpoint by reading, hearing, and/or viewing:
- Scientific text.
- Articles.
- Events in the popular press.
- Goal 6: The learner will conduct investigations, use models, simulations, and appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of cell theory.
- Objective 6.01: Describe cell theory:
- All living things are composed of cells.
- Cells provide structure and carry on major functions to sustain life.
- Some organisms are single cell; other organisms, including humans, are multi-cellular.
- Cell function is similar in all living things.
- Objective 6.02: Analyze structures, functions, and processes within animal cells for:
- Capture and release of energy.
- Feedback information.
- Dispose of wastes.
- Reproduction.
- Movement.
- Specialized needs.
- Objective 6.01: Describe cell theory:
