Skip to main content
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Español
  • Site Search
  • Log in
  • Create Account
  • Community
    • Group Rules
    • Join the Community
  • Classroom Resources
  • Teaching Tools
  • Professional Development
  • Partner Content

Synchronized Division

Topic

  • Cell Biology
  • Cell Cycle
  • Differentiation
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Reproduction & Development

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Phenomenal Images

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IB
Saved By
22 Users
Share This
View in Spanish

Description

This activity explores an image of early embryonic cells, which serves as a phenomenon for learning about cell division and development.

The sand dollar embryo in this image is in an early stage of development called a blastula. Certain groups of cells in the blastula are synchronized to divide at the same time through mitosis. Some of these cells will eventually give rise to the sand dollar’s germ cells. Others will play important roles in various developmental processes, such as cell differentiation, the formation of the digestive system, and the development of the exoskeleton. Despite their different characteristics and roles, all of the sand dollar’s cells (except for eggs or sperm) are genetically identical due to mitosis.

The “Educator Materials” document includes background information and implementation suggestions for using the image as a phenomenon. The “Student Handout” includes the image and background information.

Image by George von Dassow, Oregon Institute for Marine Biology

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

Student Learning Targets

  • Examine images of phenomena, make observations, and ask questions.
  • Collaborate with peers on ideas, ask questions that require higher levels of reasoning, and develop deeper understanding of concepts.
  • Describe how animals go from being a single-celled zygote to becoming multicellular through mitosis.
  • Explain why differences among cell types within a multicellular organism are typically due to differences in gene expression, not genetic material, among cells.

Estimated Time

Within one 50-minute class period.

Key Terms

blastula, chromosome, echinoderm, embryo, mitosis, multicellularity, zygote

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 04.13.15
Date Updated 06.21.23

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-4; SEP1

AP Biology (2019)

IST-2.A, IST-2.D; SP3

IB Biology (2016)

1.6

Common Core (2010)

ELA.WHST.9–12.9

Vision and Change (2009)

CC3; DP1

Materials

Download Resource Google Folder (Link)
Download Educator Materials (PDF) 340 KB
Download Student Handout (PDF) 700 KB
Download Image (JPG) 436 KB
Download Educator Materials (PDF) - Español 319 KB
Download Student Materials (PDF) - Español 427 KB

Explore Related Content

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Image from the video
Animations
Differentiation and the Fate of Cells
Computer illustration of crossing over between chromosomes
Animations
Meiosis
Image from the interactive showing germ cell mitosis
Click & Learn
Genetic Mutations and Disease
Image of a planarian with two heads from the activity
Phenomenal Images
Why Two Heads?
Image from the video
Animations
Cellular Differentiation Along Concentration Gradients
Image of cells and blood supply from the video
Animations
VEGF
Image of a salamander limb from the video
Animations
Salamander Limb Regeneration
Computer image of cell growth from the video
Animations
Cancer and Cell Fate in the Intestinal Epithelium
Computer illustration of recombination of the Y chromosome
Animations
Recombination of the Y Chromosome
Image of cancer cells from the activity
Phenomenal Images
Cancer Cell Invasion
HHMI BioInteractive
  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Our Advisors
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Newsletter Signup
  • HHMI.org
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility