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All living things are made of tiny building blocks called cells. Some living things are only one cell. You are made of lots and lots of them!

Cells are so small that you cannot see them with just your eyes. Scientists use a microscope, which makes things look much bigger.

Your body has many kinds of cells, like bone cells, fat cells and nerve cells. Each kind has its own job.

Every cell has a thin skin around it, called the membrane. It lets things in and out. Many cells have a control centre inside, called the nucleus.

Experiment: A cell in a bag

1. Fill both bags about half full with water. Close them tightly.
2. Open one bag a little, drop in a ping-pong ball and close it again. This is your animal cell.
3. Put a ping-pong ball and the green peas in the second bag and close it.
4. Put the second bag inside the box. This is your plant cell.
5. Gently press both cells. Which one keeps its shape better? Name each part: skin, jelly, control centre, wall, green food-makers.

	Animal cell (bag)	Plant cell (bag in a box)
What holds it together?	Which cell will keep its shape when you press it?
Where is the control centre?	Which cell will keep its shape when you press it?
Does it have green parts?	Which cell will keep its shape when you press it?

Questions

1. Draw an animal cell and a plant cell. Label the skin, the control centre and the wall.

   🍎

2. Name one living thing that is made of cells.

3. Which cell has a wall?

   plant / animal

4. How do you grow? Use the word 'cells'.

Sources for every fact on this sheet: echoesof.science/school/cells/sources/

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