Growth in multicellular organisms
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the role of cell division in the growth of multicellular organisms.
Key learning points
- Growth is part of the life cycle of all living organisms.
- Multicellular organisms grow by making new cells.
- Multicellular organisms need to repair tissue through cell division.
- All new cells are made when existing cells copy their genetic material and then divide in two.
Keywords
Growth - Multicellular organisms grow by increasing the number of cells they have; this involves cell division.
Unicellular - An organism that consists of only one cell.
Multicellular - An organism made up of many cells.
Cell division - The process by which cells replicate to produce two genetically identical cells.
Common misconception
Multicellular organisms reproduce by cell division like unicellular organisms.
Multicellular organisms use cell division for reproduction. A non-example will be used to show reproduction is not part of reproduction in multicellular organisms.
Teacher tip
Students may need reminding about fertilisation of gametes when discussing reproduction in multicellular organisms.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each term to the correct defintion.
an organism made up of only one cell
an organism made up of many cells
the process used to replicate cells
Q2.If in the same organism, order these structures from smallest to largest.
Q3.Which sub-cellular structure contains the DNA in animal cells?
Q4.Which of these organisms is multicellular?
Q5.Which word best describes an organism increasing in size as part of their life cycle?
Q6.What is the smallest living organism that can exist on its own?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a multicellular organism?
Q2.Which statements are true for the nucleus?
Q3.Which two processes do animal and plants usually use cell division for?
Q4.Which of these statements are true for cell division in animals?
Q5.What is the word used to describe organisms increasing in size by adding more cells?
Q6.Which statement is false?
To help you plan your 10 biology lesson on: Growth in multicellular organisms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 biology lesson on: Growth in multicellular organisms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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