BASIC SCIENCE LESSON NOTE (JSS1 FIRST TERM)

Week 8: Plant and Animal Cells

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Topic:

Basic Science Lesson Note on Plant and Animal Cells

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Class:

JSS1 (Junior Secondary School 1)

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Specific Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Identify plant and animal cells.
2. Draw and label a typical plant and animal cell (basic level).
3. State the similarities between plant and animal cells.
4. State the differences between plant and animal cells.
5. Mention the functions of major cell parts in both cells.
6. Appreciate the importance of cells in living organisms.

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Lesson Content:

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1. Meaning of Plant and Animal Cells

Plant and animal cells are the basic units that make up plants and animals respectively.

Both are types of eukaryotic cells, meaning they have a well-defined nucleus.

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2. Plant Cell

A plant cell is the structural and functional unit of a plant. It has special features that help plants carry out photosynthesis and maintain structure.

Parts of a Plant Cell:

• Cell wall
• Cell membrane
• Cytoplasm
• Nucleus
• Chloroplast
• Large vacuole

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3. Animal Cell

An animal cell is the structural and functional unit of animals. It does not have some structures found in plant cells.

Parts of an Animal Cell:

• Cell membrane
• Cytoplasm
• Nucleus
• Small vacuoles
• No cell wall
• No chloroplast

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4. Similarities Between Plant and Animal Cells

Plant and animal cells are similar because they both have:

• Cell membrane
• Cytoplasm
• Nucleus
• Mitochondria (energy production)
• Vacuole (though different sizes)

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5. Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells

Plant Cell	Animal Cell
Has cell wall	No cell wall
Has chloroplast	No chloroplast
Has large vacuole	Has small vacuoles
Usually rectangular shape	Usually irregular shape
Makes its own food (photosynthesis)	Cannot make its own food

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6. Functions of Special Parts in Plant Cells

Chloroplast

• Contains chlorophyll
• Helps plants make food through photosynthesis

Cell Wall

• Gives shape and support
• Protects the cell

Large Vacuole

• Stores water and nutrients
• Maintains firmness of the plant

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7. Importance of Plant and Animal Cells

• They form all living organisms
• They allow growth and repair
• They help in reproduction and survival
• They carry out life processes

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Conclusion:

Plant and animal cells are the basic building blocks of life. Although they share many similarities, they also have important differences that help them perform their unique functions in living organisms.

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Evaluation (Objective Questions):

1. Plant and animal cells are both
   A. Prokaryotic cells
   B. Eukaryotic cells
   C. Non-living cells
   D. Metal cells
   Answer: B

2. Which structure is found in plant cells only?
   A. Nucleus
   B. Cell membrane
   C. Cell wall
   D. Cytoplasm
   Answer: C

3. Chloroplast is responsible for
   A. Digestion
   B. Photosynthesis
   C. Movement
   D. Breathing
   Answer: B

4. Animal cells do NOT have
   A. Cytoplasm
   B. Nucleus
   C. Cell wall
   D. Cell membrane
   Answer: C

5. The vacuole in plant cells is usually
   A. Very small
   B. Large
   C. Absent
   D. Broken
   Answer: B

6. The shape of animal cell is usually
   A. Rectangular
   B. Irregular
   C. Square only
   D. Circular metal
   Answer: B

7. The function of cell wall is to
   A. Control breathing
   B. Provide support
   C. Produce food
   D. Store waste
   Answer: B

8. Both plant and animal cells have
   A. Chloroplast
   B. Cell wall
   C. Nucleus
   D. Wood
   Answer: C

9. Plant cells make food through
   A. Respiration
   B. Photosynthesis
   C. Digestion
   D. Evaporation
   Answer: B

10. The basic unit of life is the
    A. Organ
    B. Cell
    C. Tissue
    D. System
    Answer: B

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Essay Questions:

1. Define plant cell.
2. State five parts of a plant cell.
3. Define animal cell.
4. Mention five differences between plant and animal cells.
5. State five similarities between plant and animal cells.
6. Explain the function of chloroplast and cell wall.