Homeostasis and Cell Transport
What is the word for the process that keeps the inside of a living thing stable, like keeping body temperature the same?
Homeostasis
What three things do plants take in to make food during photosynthesis?
Water - Sunlight - CO2
What do cells make from food that they use for work and growth?
Energy!
What does DNA help the cell do? (Hint: it has instructions for something important)
DNA gives instructions for making proteins and traits (it stores genetic information).
What does RNA do for the cell that is different from DNA? (Hint: RNA helps make proteins.)
RNA helps carry or use DNA's instructions to make proteins (it acts as a messenger and helper).
Give one example of the what the body does to maintain homeostasis
Sweat, Shiver, Goosebumps
What is the name of the green pigment in plant leaves that captures light energy?
Chlorophyl
What are the two main types of cellular respiration called (one uses oxygen, one does not)?
Aerobic respiration (uses oxygen) and anaerobic respiration (does not use oxygen).
DNA is often described as a "twisted ladder." What is the name of that shape?
Double Helix
Name the three types of RNA
mRNA (messenger RNA) carries instructions from DNA to the ribosome; tRNA (transfer RNA) brings amino acids; rRNA (ribosomal RNA) helps build the ribosome.
What is the main difference between passive transport and active transport in cells?
Passive transport does not require energy
Active transport requires energy
Oxygen - Glucose
Explain why muscles can get tired when you run fast and oxygen runs low (hint: think anaerobic respiration).
Without enough oxygen muscles switch to anaerobic respiration, producing lactic acid and less ATP, causing tiredness.
Name the two main parts that make up the sides (backbone) of the DNA "ladder."
Sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate make the backbone.
Explain, in simple steps, how the instructions in DNA get sent out of the nucleus to make a protein, using the terms "transcription" and "translation"
Transcription = the cell makes an RNA copy of the DNA instructions (like copying a recipe onto a note). Translation = the cell reads the RNA note and assembles the protein (like following the recipe to make a dish).
How is the Cell Membrane just like skin of humans?
They both control what goes in and out and helps maintain homeostasis.
A. Mitochondria
B. Chlorophyl
C. Chloroplasts
D. Ribosome
Describe, at a basic level, how the energy stored in food becomes usable ATP for the cell. Use a simple model or step list.
Food (sugar) -> broken down in steps -> small energy released used to make ATP -> ATP used by the cell for work.
Explain in simple terms how DNA holds instructions that help make a trait, like hair color. Use the idea of "instructions" or "code."
DNA contains sequences (codes) that tell the cell how to build proteins; different sequences make different traits like hair color.
Draw or describe a simple model (sentence or list) showing how DNA -> RNA -> Protein represents the flow of genetic information
DNA (in nucleus) -> mRNA copies instructions -> mRNA leaves nucleus -> ribosome reads mRNA -> tRNA brings amino acids -> protein built.
How is would a person or achieve homeostasis if they were overheating?
Cool down!
Come to the board and draw the three items that a plant takes in to begin photosynthesis and draw the two things plants produce after photosynthesis.
Take in: water sunlight CO2
Put out: Glucose Oxygen
Compare and contrast aerobic and anaerobic respiration in a short paragraph suitable for a 5th grader, mentioning when each might happen in the body.
Aerobic uses oxygen and makes more ATP and happens during normal activity; anaerobic happens when oxygen is low (quick bursts), makes less ATP and can produce lactic acid or other byproducts.
Construct a short explanation (3–4 sentences) that describes how DNA is copied before a cell divides, using words a 5th grader can understand.
Before a cell divides, DNA is copied in a process where the two strands separate and each strand becomes a template to build a new matching strand so each new cell gets a full set.
Construct an explanation (3–4 sentences) that summarizes how DNA and RNA work together to direct the cell to make a protein
DNA holds the instructions. The cell makes an RNA copy (mRNA) of the part it needs. The mRNA travels to the ribosome, where protein building machines read it and link amino acids into a protein. RNA acts as the messenger and helpers to turn DNA's code into actual proteins.