There are three parts to the cell cycle- interphase, mitosis, and cytokinesis. Mitosis is the process in which a eukaryotic cell's nucleus splits in two, leading to the original cell, called a parent cell, dividing into two new cells, called daughter cells. It occurs in somatic cells and begins right after fertilization between a sperm and egg cell. The new, single cell that is created is called a zygote. The zygote will divide, and continue dividing until a blastocyst forms (mass of around 200 cells) and then and embryo is formed, and then a fetus, then a baby, and so on until the organism reaches adulthood. Mitosis is how an organism grows, and it is also how an organism's body repairs injured tissue, like when you get a cut. Also, old, worn-out cells in the body are replaced through mitosis. For example, your stomach is a harsh, acidic environment. New stomach cells need to be made to replace worn-out ones to keep your stomach working properly. Mitosis is usually introduced to students in seventh grade, then again in ninth grade biology.
I like to start of this unit off by showing students a real life mitosis video clip. In this they can see the different phases of mitosis. Here is another timelapse video clip showing a zygote dividing to become a blastocyst. These are just two examples that I like to show students, but there are many others you can find online. Look around and find one you want to show your classes. As students watch it the clip for first time, it may not make sense to them, especially the first video clip. Show this video again a week later, after they have completed their mitosis lessons, and they will be likely able to point out the different phases of mitosis the video in. They will see that they have learned something new! :)
There are different ways to teach on the topic of mitosis. Three of my favorites are a cell cycle flip book, cell cycle cartoon, and onion root tip lab. The first two are great to assign as at home projects, but they can be done in class as well. The flip book and cartoon assignment taps into a student's artistic and creative side. Here is a sample of a cell cycle cartoon below.
Sample Cell Cycle Cartoon
But for now, I want to show you how to make a cell cycle flip book that will be like a mini animation for students when finished. These are neat to make because students see how the transition between the stages looks in action rather than just in still pictures. It is best to assign this project to students after they have had a lesson over the three stages of the cell cycle and the four phases of mitosis. Once they gain a good understanding of the cell cycle, and the phases of mitosis, they can then begin to make their flip books.
I’m going to show you how to make it with index cards, but post- it notes can work too. I like to give students an option, as some prefer a white background over the bright colors of the sticky notes. As for the number of pages-even though the book may not be but 10 pages of filled in drawings or words, try adding extra blank pages (20 or so) to your book if you'd like. I find that it makes it easier to hold and flip through if it’s a little thicker.
Materials
1. Blank index cards or 1 regular size Post-it sticky note pad
2. Color pencils, glitter gel pens, or markers
3. Hole puncher (if using index cards and tying them together)
4. Painter’s tape or binder clip of some sort to bind the booklet (This is if using index cards-
Post it notes are already bounded by the sticky side)
To Begin:
*First make a title page. Then decide if you want your book to be rectangle or square shaped (I prefer square, and smaller pages over rectangle and larger pages).
Page 1
Skip about ten pages before starting to number your pages. Leave these blank, For page 1, students will draw a picture of a cell in interphase.
Page 2
Students will draw a picture of the cell in prophase.
Page 3
Students will draw a picture of the cell in prometaphase.
Page 4
Students will draw a picture of a cell in metaphase.
Page 5
Students will draw a picture of a cell in anaphase.
Page 6
Students will draw a picture of a cell in telophase.
Page 7
Draw a picture of a cell in cytokinesis.
Page 8 and on
Here students can be creative and add anything else they want to their book on the cell cycle from this page on to make a longer flipbook. They can also repeat the pictures so that the flipbook will showcase the the cell division process two times.
After you have all pages filled, it is time to bind your index cards together, with anything you can think of, small binder clips or painters tape work well. I prefer the tape, but if you use painter’s tape, make sure the tape sticks to the edges well or the book may come apart. I like using colored painter's tape because the flipbook resembles a mini book when finished. You could even staple the edge of the flipbook and the still use tape (just for the look of a book edge). When all the drawings are complete, students can then flip through the pages to view their animated cell cycle book.
Tip: To really show the movement between the cell cycle, have students also draw pictures of the cell transitioning from prophase to metaphase (prometaphase), and from metaphase to anaphase. If they add these extra drawings, the mini mitosis animation flipbooks will look even better when flipping through the book.
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