Cell signaling: from extracellular fluid to nucleus

From Inside Cancer Wiki

'Lesson Overview'

The purpose of this lesson is to follow the path of a cellular signal from outside the cell to inside the nucleus. http://www.dnalc.org/ddnalc/cell_signals/index.html http://teachercenter.insidecancer.org/p/114

Goals and Objectives

At the end of this lesson, students should understand how a cell signal travels across the cell membrane and may eventually reach the nucleus.

Common Misconceptions

Common misconceptions that students may have are that cell signals are not specific and can enter a cell membrane at any location.

The Lesson

Before class the students should read the section in their books about cell signaling and we will discuss the chemical nature of cell signals (protein, lipid, hydrophobic or hydrophilic) and how each type of signal may enter the cell.

During class Students will work in pairs and observe the cell signaling presentation. They will be asked to answer questions on a corresponding worksheet that they will be given. At the end of the presentation, they will be asked to create a model of cellular signaling based on what they have learned.

Time required 2-3 days

Estimate the amount of time for each part of the lesson. 1 day to observe the presentation, write down observations, and answer questions

Student Handouts for the Lesson Plan

in progress