Process



**STAGE ONE: GROUP ALLOCATION**

Students are required to move into groups of 4-5 of their own choice. Once formed into groups, students must decide on how to divide the tasks between its members and ensure that the load is spread evenly and all aspects required will be covered.

The roles for the task can be easily broken down into three:
 * 1) The cell experts: two members of the groups should be allocated to cell research.
 * 2) The microscope experts: two members should be allocated to researching microscopes.
 * 3) The slide technician: one member who will learn how to prepare slides and know different stains. (If in a group of four, the role of the slides technician should be allocated to either the pair of cell or microscope experts; the head scientist may also nominate an individual in the group to fulfill this role.)

**NOTE**: **It is the responsibility of the students to share their knowledge in the area researched with all members of their group. A small amount of time will be allocated at the start of each class session to share your research with your group members.**

**STAGE TWO: RESEARCH**

Using the links on the Resources page as a starting point, begin the research into each area of expertise that you have been allocated.

**__The Cell Experts__** As the name of your role indicates, it is your duty to find out all that you can about cells. To help make this task slightly easier for the pair, it is suggested that one person in the pair be the animal cell expert and the other the plant cell expert.

__The animal cell expert:__ The animal cell expert, as the name indicates will be focusing their research efforts on animal cells. Animal cells are diverse and cover a broad spectrum; therefore, it would be of interest to focus your investigations on animal cells by exploring the different cell types that make up the human body. As part of you investigation, you will need to include:
 * 1) a labelled diagram of a animal cell[[image:cells.jpg width="320" height="240" align="right"]]
 * 2) an image and brief description of at least 4 different types of cells that are present in the human body - the description of the cell must include what kind of cell it is, where it is from and the function of the cell in the organ/structure. (E.g. an animal cell extracted from the heart is called myocardiocyte. The function of the heart is to pump oxygen rich blood to every living cell in the body.)

__The plant cell expert:__ The plant cell expert, as the name indicates will be focusing their research efforts on plant cells. Due to the large variety in plant types, a good focus for your investigation of plant cells would be to look at flowering and fruit bearing plants. As part of this investigation, you will need to include:
 * 1) a labelled diagram of a plant cell
 * 2) an image and brief description of at least 4 different types of cells that are present in plants - the description should include what type of cell it is, where is it found on the plant and its function. (E.g. parenchyma cells, also known as guard cells, are responsible for regulating the opening of stomata)

After researching both plant and animal cells, the plant and animal cell experts will need to discuss their findings, making particular note on the difference between animal and plant cells as this needs to be included in your final report.

**__The Microscope Experts__** The main role of the microscope experts is to learn about the different parts of the microscope and how to operate one. The secondary task that needs to be covered is to investigate the different types of microscopes available. To better cover this task, it is recommended that the pair split the task by having one focus primarily on researching about the compound light microscope and the other focus their research on the different types of microscopes.

After delegating the task between the two, the light microscope expert is required to:
 * 1) correctly label the different parts of the compound light microscope (a unlabelled diagram of a compound light microscope will be provided by the teacher)
 * 2) describe the different parts of the light microscope
 * 3) outline how to use the compound light microscope

The microscope expert dedicated to researching the different types of microscopes is required to:
 * 1) look at two different types of microscopes
 * 2) provide a picture of these microscopes
 * 3) provide a description of these microscopes, covering their main features and how they function in relation to the compound light microscope.

**__The Slides Expert(s)__** The main role of the slides expert(s) is to investigate the process of preparing specimens for microscope viewing. As part of the research on slide preparation, you are required to:
 * 1) outline the steps required to prepare and mount a specimen onto a clean slide - when looking at the process of mounting specimens onto slides, it may be of interest to include some information on the preparation of both wet and dry mounts, looking at the differences between the two techniques and when each technique should be used
 * 2) describe the process of staining, this includes examples of common stains used and what these stains identify (i.e. does the stain identify the nucleus, cell wall etc.)

The video below is a good starting point for understanding the process of preparing slides and basic staining. For further information view the links in the Resources page.

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**STAGE THREE: IN THE LABORATORY**

The purpose of the laboratory session is to put what you have gathered as a team and put that knowledge into action. As part of this laboratory session, the group is required to:
 * 1) provide a diagram of their mystery specimen
 * 2) identify and label the parts of the mystery specimen
 * 3) distinguish whether the specimen is an animal or plant cell
 * 4) practice preparing their own slide (not the mystery cell).

NOTE: The mystery specimens that is provided for the lab session will be prepared by the head scientist (the teacher). Each member of the group will need to prepare slide of a common organism designated by the teacher.

PRE-LAB EXERCISES: To help facilitate the process of the laboratory session, it is important that each member of the group view the microscopes video to review what they have learned about using and handling the microscope properly.

NOTE: In the beginning of the lab you will have a short quiz about the contents of the video and virtual lab.

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After watching the video on operating the microscope, each member of the group should proceed to the [|Virtual Lab] and complete it to get a better understanding in operating the microscope and what the group will be required to do during the session.

**STAGE FOUR: BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER**

As the group members complete each of their delegated sections, it is important that you remember to share what you have discovered with other members of the group. Also, the information gathered by the experts needs to be compiled together into a report. The report should be 5-6 pages maximum. The break down of the report should be approximately 2 pages allocated to cells, 2 pages allocated to microscopes and 1-2 pages for the slide preparation and stains.

A small A4 poster of your mystery cell is also required. The poster will require a drawing of the organism with correct labels. The group will then present briefly about their cell; describing what they saw during the lab session, distinguish if the cell is a plant and animal cell and if possible from the knowledge of the cell experts guess where the cells came from. This presentation is meant to be brief and to show case what you as a group have learned and should be no more than 2-3 minutes long.

Lily - planned and discussed process involved in the webquest Peter - documented the process