Cell Structure & Function: Quick Site Review

[Sean Nash]

This is a collaborative resource review and aggregation for use in an upcoming unit.

Use this forum to share a website you found particularly interesting or informative on the topic of cellular structure and function. After surveying the site, and seeing what it has to offer, come back into the forum, link to the site, and describe what the reader/viewer can expect to find there. Review a site that you will stand behind as a rich resource.

Vary search terms to find unique sites, and remember: you cannot re-post one that has appeared before you in the thread. Try to mix & match: cells, cellular, "structure & function", "cell differentiation", differentiation, organelle, organelles, form, shape, etc.

When you post... if it is a simple link to a site, post that link and also perhaps links to other pages within the main site that you would like to direct your classmates to. If you have a really nice piece of video that you can embed directly into the discussion, do that here as well.

Be sure to tell us: why you chose the site. Why did this one stick out to you? Why does it do a good job of teaching the concepts involved in cell structure and function, or perhaps cell differentiation? What is it that makes you think this site carries a reasonable amount of authority? What is a criticism of the site if any? Is there something that could be added to make it even better for you as a learner? What is the main thing you learned already about cell structure & function from just your review of this website?

Image courtesy of PNNL (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) on Flickr.

[Laci Shoemaker]

As I was researching I came across this website that gives a look at the cell's structure & function. This link on this website gives readers a chance to see what the structure of a cell is all about. I chose this because it has little cute diagrams showing what the cells look like. As I researched a little further, I came across this link on the website and it gives us a look at the function of the cell and it again, has pictures to show the intended audience what the cell looks like and what it does. On this website there are far more things that you can look up for instance, there are things about plants and photosynthesis and such. I like this site because again, it gives pictures to show us, and maybe littler kids a good picture. It has quizzes you can take over the structure and function as well.

I was curious so I furthered my researching and I found this website. I think it is pretty interesting to watch some of the videos that are posted on that website because it gives a tour through the cell, what they're made up of, etc. The way that they look real, and 3D is pretty intense. :) I liked this website just because of the videos. :D

I learned pretty much everything I did in class today from these two sites.

[Sean Nash]

Excellent Laci... good finds. I also noticed that in the end you said you that these webpages pretty much taught you exactly what today's classroom experience did. Surely there is something more hidden in these pages... right? What other little gem can you find therein that somehow extends what we learned in class today?

[Hunter Ewart]

I liked the links you have. They really have a lot of good information and pictures to help guide you in your learning. nIce work!!!

[Ivory Baldwin]

I like your pictures Laci :)

[Terra Younger]

The site that I found very educational of the cell was cellsalive.com ...

On the site there's numerous quizzes... You can get to know what organelles are present in the cell and how they work. It explains the structure of the cell and all it's functions. I chose this site because it's very colorful and it's easy to follow. It's has cool quizzes and activities that make it easy for anyone to learn the material. It's really interactive.

The page that I found most helpful on the site was the online animation. It allows you to choose between an animal or plant cell. It's pretty cool :)

The site itself isn't very creditable, unfortunately. But I compared it to other creditable sites and it's contents are constantly correct. The site is managed by a dude by the name of Jim Sullivan. That's the sites flaw. I'm sure it'd be a better site if it was more creditable.

Yeahh :) Enjoy.

[Sean Nash]

Cellsalive has been a resource for biology teachers for quite some time now. Though the overall look may be getting a wee bit dated, it was more than ahead of it's time when it launched.

As far as the site not being credible... I am curious as to why you conclude that. Did you check out Mr. Sullivan's resume on the "about us" page below? Check out the "awards" page... including some of the publications that have featured in the site in the past (even dating back to '95).

Considering those things, I'm wondering if you still feel that way. Was there anything else made you unsure of the site?

[Terra Younger]

Actually, no... I didn't read about the background knowledge of Mr. Sullivan. He is a very accomplished man... This site a quite creditable... Yes, sadly it is a little out dated. But I still dig it... :)

[Marcy Withrow]

Terra! I flipping love this site! I remember using this in freshman biology last year. I was going to take it, but then I saw you had it. It's a nice one (:

[Terra Younger]

I used it in Zoology my sophomore year and I remembered it was a really great learning tool. Thanks :)

[Shelby Hawkins]

Ok! Just wanted to add this now before I forgot...WAY COOL...and only about thirty seconds of your time!

[Hunter Ewart]

I chose this cite ,becasue it seemed to put all the puzzle peices into place. This one brushed of the cobb webs in the back of my brain from the lasrt time I studied cells and ther functions. Because Im a visual learner ,and it shows me the inside of the cell as well as explaining it this one also creates connects to my life. This way I can get a better feel for what the fuctions are and it's structure. This cite contains major informtion that I feel makes it highly ranked. I wish it offered more information and to be able to zoom in to get a better feel for the information provided. The connections it made to real life it allowed me to bridge the gap between the science world and the world I live in.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOe-uLJg6Og&feature=fvw" target="_blank">

[Sean Nash]

The video you link to is a good example of a webpage that I would say lacks any true authority (or even accuracy in this case). I think keeping this on in here is a super example of one of the weaknesses of YouTube-based links. Remember, anyone can post to YT. This does not mean that folks carrying a ton of authority cannot post to YT. However, when they do so, they are usually more than upfront about who they are and what they do (or have done).

This video was simply created by a student in a biology class. In includes some things which would no doubt create some serious misconceptions in someone taking it at face value. Among the issues I instantly had with this one were...

*The title reads: "Parts of a The Cell's" Enough said really.
**The video describes the mitochondria as being "like the sun because it provides energy to the cell." This one is just so problematic. Not only is this just incorrect, but it can create a huge misconception that mitochondria have something to do with photosynthesis in some way.
***"A vacuole is like a computer hard drive, storing food for the cell?" Wow. That one makes it seems as though a vacuole stores information in some way.

There are really so many more issues in this video. Always be careful when referencing student work. This one turns out to be a pretty spectacular non-example.