If you look at a piece of a leaf or a drop of saliva through a
microscope, what do you see? Cells are the basic building blocks of life
and they make up every living thing, from plants to animals, from humans
to bacteria! In Cells: Experience Life at Its Tiniest, readers ages 12
to 15 investigate cells and learn how they affect our health,
reproduction, criminal investigations, and agriculture. Through cell
science, scientists have been able to create many things to help
society, including seeds that grow better in certain locations, tools
that can detect DNA at crime scenes, and immunizations to keep people
healthy.
To reinforce learning and encourage investigation, hands-on activities
include finding and identifying bacteria from pond water and human
mouths and building models of different types of cells. Links to online
primary sources, videos, and other relevant websites provide a digital
learning component that appeals to this age group and promotes further,
independent learning while strengthening practical connections to the
material. Additional materials include a glossary and a list of current
reference works, websites, and Internet resources.