You are made of trillions of them. For most of human history, nobody knew they were there.
Not started yet.
Students will explain how the invention of the microscope opened an invisible world and how discoveries made over generations led to the cell theory.
The central idea is that the microscope did not create a new world. It allowed us to see a world that had been there all along.
A cell is the smallest unit that carries out the activities of life.
The development of better microscopes allowed scientists to make discoveries that eventually led to the three parts of the cell theory: all organisms are made of one or more cells; cells are the basic units of structure and function in organisms; and all cells come from cells that already exist.
The third part connects directly with biogenesis from Unit 1.
🚨 Students may think cell theory came from one experiment or one scientist. It developed as observations and discoveries accumulated over generations.
Also make sure students understand that cells are not the smallest things that exist. They are the smallest units of life.
Ask: if something is too small for you to see, how could you ever discover that it exists? Let the microscope become the answer before introducing the scientists who used it.
Psalm 139 describes God's knowledge of us even when our formation is hidden from human sight.
🚨 Be careful not to present the verse as a prediction of cell theory. The connection is that much of life's structure existed beyond human sight long before we developed the tools to observe it.
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Before You Start
The words this lesson uses. Tap a card to see what it means, then come back to them whenever a question uses one.
Part One
Questions about the story you just read. Pick your answer straight off, or press Find it in the story if you would rather hunt for the sentence first.
Part Two
The word cards are at the top of this page. Look back at them as often as you need, then answer.