Internet WebQuest: New Research on Cells
Source: Glencoe Online (Link)
Introduction
In the last few years, people have become increasingly aware of the many advances in all aspects of scientific research. There is an abundance of information on the Internet about new scientific discoveries involving cells, such as cloning and stem cell research, as well as answers to interesting questions about how the cells in our bodies work. People who write about scientific topics need to learn about the topics they are investigating in detail. They also need to use a writing style that is appropriate for the place where their pieces will be published. Writing articles for newspapers or magazines is different from writing for the Internet. What are some of the latest scientific discoveries about cells that are reported on the Internet? What types of scientific questions about the cells in the human body are answered on the Internet? How would you summarize this information for publishing on the Internet? In this WebQuest, you will explore new research involving different types of cells, read about how cells in the human body work, and write a summary of one of the topics you researched that is suitable for Internet publication.
Task
Your job in the WebQuest is to learn about current research involving different types of cells. You will investigate how scientists studying diverse scientific topics are adding to the current body of knowledge about cells. You also will explore questions and answers about the roles that different cells play in our bodies. You will answer a set of questions to demonstrate what you have learned. Once you've explored information to increase your knowledge of developments in cell studies and how cells work in the human body, you'll write a summary about one of the topics you investigated. The purpose of this summary is to write about a scientific topic using a style suited for posting on a Web site.
Process
First, read through the following set of questions before you begin your Internet research. As you explore each site, look for answers to the questions.
Questions about Cells
- What do researchers think is one cause of memory impairment related to growing older? What does new research show that may be able to help reverse this process?
- How might fat cells be able to help people with spinal cord injuries?
- How are frog eggs being used in research involving human cells?
- What are Schwann cells? How are they affected in multiple sclerosis patients?
- What role do cells play in preventing the stomach from digesting itself?
Next, visit the Web sites listed to find more information about another type of recent research involving cells.
Write a summary of that topic that includes more than the answer to one of the questions. Your summary should be written to appear on a Web page about cells, life science, scientific research, systems in the human body, or a related subject.
Resources
Look at the web sites given here to find information that will help you answer questions about cell research, and to gather information to use as you write your summary.
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/question464.htm
This article describes the digestive process and answers questions about human stomach cells.
- http://www.nature.com/nsu/010301/010301-5.html
Read this description of how human cells were tested in rats as part of a study of multiple sclerosis therapies.
- http://www.nature.com/nsu/030714/030714-3.html
This article describes how scientists at Cambridge University in Great Britain are studying the use of frog eggs in the rebuilding of human cells.
- http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,33465,00.html
Scientists in Israel have studied how cells might be programmed to keep watch to signal the body about potential disease.
- http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/brai/507400.html
Learn about the discoveries scientists have made while studying human fat cells.
- http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/22/1728_55460
This article discusses how it may be possible to regrow brain cells, a process that was once thought to be impossible.You may use these resources to provide detailed information about how to write effectively for a Web-based audience: