Lesson Plan

• Describe the key structural differences between a typical bacterial cell and eukaryotic plant and animal cells.
• Explain how the presence of membrane‑bound organelles influences cellular metabolism and compartmentalisation.
• Compare size ranges and cell‑wall composition across the three cell types.
• Analyse the functional implications of structural variations for energy acquisition and structural support.
• Apply the comparison to identify cell type from a labelled diagram.

• Projector and slide deck
• Printed comparative handout (table + diagram)
• Microscope slides of a bacterium, plant cell, and animal cell
• Whiteboard and markers
• Exit‑ticket cards

Begin with a quick image‑guessing hook: show three unlabeled cell cross‑sections and ask students to predict which is which. Review prior knowledge of cell basics and state that by the end of the lesson they will be able to justify their predictions using structural criteria.

1. Do‑now (5'): Students complete a mind‑map of “What makes a cell a cell?” on the board.
2. Mini‑lecture with slides (10'): Present the three cell types, highlighting size, nucleus, cell wall, organelles, and motility structures.
3. Guided comparative table activity (15'): In pairs, students fill a blank table using the handout and microscope observations.
4. Group diagram labeling (10'): Each group labels a large diagram of the three cells, focusing on key features.
5. Think‑pair‑share (10'): Discuss functional implications of the structural differences (e.g., compartmentalisation, energy metabolism).
6. Exit ticket (5'): Write one structural feature that best distinguishes each cell type and one functional consequence.

Recap the main structural distinctions and their functional relevance, checking understanding through a rapid “thumbs up/down” poll on each key point. Collect exit tickets as a formative check and assign a short homework: create a labelled sketch of one cell type, highlighting at least five structures.