MADE+OF+CELLS+&+ORGANIZATION

Shelby Freedman Ali Lauro Rachel Kearney Lauren Song

__**Title:**__ Investigation of the characteristics of life demonstrated by unknowns A, B, and C.

__**Introduction-**__ We are going to identify the substances if they are made of cells using a microscope with wet mounts and without. Materials- - Swift light microscope - glass slides - 7 cover slips - 7 Unknown substances A, B, & C and cheek cell - Eye dropper - H20 - Methylene Blue - tooth pick - 100Ml beaker for H20 - scooper for unknown substances A, B, & C.

Procedure- 1. Obtain a light microscope. 2. Get the unknown substances, glass cover slides, 3 cover slips, H20, eye dropper, and microscope. 4. Prepare dry slides of unknowns A, B, & C and observe individually under 100X and 400X. Draw on the power in which is most clear. 5. Then prepare three 'wet mount' slides of the unknowns A, B, & C. To make wet mounts, place the substance on the glass cover slide and put a drop of water on it with an eye dropper, and place a cover slip over it. Tap the wet mount lightly with an eraser to get out air bubbles. 6. Observe on 100X and 400X. Draw on power in which is most clear. 7. As a control to compare to the unknown substances, obtain a stained cheek cell. 8. Scrape the inside of your cheek and place the saliva on a glass slide, put a drop of methylene blue on the saliva and place the cover slip over it. 9. Observe on 100X and 400X. Draw on power in which is most clear.

Hypothesis: If the substances A, B,C show all characteristics of life then it will be identified as a living organism.

Observations-













Hypothesis-

Independent Variable: Living characteristics in three unknowns Dependent Variable;Cells in three unknowns Control: Cheek cell

__**Background Info-**__

Organization is essential for an organism’s survival. In organisms, there are two levels of organization: molecular and cellular organization. Basically, molecular organization is the organization of a cell, and cellular organization is the organization of an organism. In molecular organization, organelles are arranged so they work together to carry out the activities of life. So, every cell has an //organized// internal structure because it’s molecules and cells are arranged properly. In cellular organization, tissues are made up of cells working together to perform the same function. Organs are made up of tissues working together to perform a function. Organ systems are made up of organs working together to perform a function. So, Tissues are organized together to form organs, and organs are organized together to form organ systems. Thus, without both molecular and cellular organization, an organism will become disorganized and die.

Response to a stimulus is also a significant trait for an organism to possess. Stimulus is defined as anything in the environment that causes an organism to react, while the definition of a response is a reaction to a stimulus in a way that improves their chances of survival. An organism must be able to react to elements in the environment that affect their internal and external conditions in order to survive. For instance, if a predator attacks its prey, the prey will only survive if it’s able to responsd by running away faster than the predator can catch it, or be able to fight back.

Adaptation is essential for an organism to live in a changing environment. Through several experiences organisms need to work through and adapt to their environment. This process takes over generations, and is one of the basic phenomena of biology. This process is essential for an organisms survival in the world.

Reproduction is the biological process by with new "offspring" individual organisms are produced from their "parents". Each individual organism exists as the result of reproduction. Reproduction can be done two different ways: sexual and asexual.(wikipedia.com/reproduction) Sexual reproduction is the combination of two different types of offspring and made into one organism. Asexual reproduction has all the same traits as the one organism that produced it and is a clone.

Being made of cells is important for a species to survive. One it helps transfer food through the organism and it also helps heal the organism when needed. Also the cells hold the genes in them so when they reproduce it is able to pass on the genes through the cells. Cells also carry out the functions to help the organism perform in daily tasks.

The use of energy is also a key way for a substance to survive. Energy helps the substance maintain organization, reproduce, grow and develop, respond to stimuli maintain homeostasis, and build a substance that makes up cells. Without energy a living system will become disorganized and die. Sometimes other organisms eat other organisms to obtain energy these are call consumers. All animals and humans are consumers and they eat other organisms in order to survive and continue their species.

Homeostasis is the tendency of biological systems to maintain stability while continually becoming accustomed to conditions that are vital for survival. For the cells to maintain their stability, the cell membranes must continue interaction with both the internal environment and the external environment. When the equilibrium of any component is disturbed, the interaction permits automatic readjustment by giving rise to stimuli that result in restoration of the equilibrium.

Growth and development allows organisms to perform other living processes. With growth and development, an organism is able to grow, adapt, reproduce, and develop. They are also able to differentiate.

Conclusion: Based on the microscope images shown above we couldn't see that the substances had cells so no it might not be considered a living thing.