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.
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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.
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1-2 days to answer the set of questions and
write a summary
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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.
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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.
You may use these resources to provide
detailed information about how to write effectively
for a Web-based audience:
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In the process of completing this WebQuest,
you've read about recent research involving
cells. You've found answers to questions about
how the cells function in the human body. In
the process of answering questions, your research
gave you further insight to current and ongoing
scientific study about cells. You've also enhanced
your writing skills by preparing a summary
about one of the research topics you investigated.
The summary you wrote gave you the opportunity
to understand more about the scientific content
as well as present the information in a style
compatible with publishing on the Web.
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