DTSE 2007: Lesson 3.2

NESTED STUCTURE 3

LESSON 3.2

TITLE: Normal vs. Abnormal Cancer Cells

INTRODUCTION: This lesson is used review what students have in lesson 2.1 and in lesson 3.1. This lesson will be used to introduce the concept of normal and abnormal cell division. The goal of this lesson is to help students understand that the growth and differentiation of cells in the body normally are precisely regulated. This regulation is very critical to the orderly process of the development of the human body. Cancer develops due to the loss of growth control in cells. The teacher should review those important concepts introduced in Lesson 3.1: Cancer is a disease caused by the irregular growth of mutated cells. Forms of cancer include two types of tumors. Benign tumors don’t spread to other parts of the body. Moles and beauty marks are types of benign tumors. In contrast, a malignant tumor is a group of mutated cells that metastasize and spread to other parts of the body, usually through the circulatory system.

For homework, teacher will ask students to review and bring to class the treatment chart they have created in lesson 2.1. They will be also asked to answer Part II of the Microscope Activity provided in lesson 3.1

OBJECTIVES:

•	Students will be able to understand that cancer cells are morphologically different than normal cells. They will notice that Cancer cells have a larger size, an irregular cell membrane, and less structural organization. Cancer cells have larger, more darkly colored nuclei. •	Students will be able to recognize that cancer develops as a result of (genetic) damage that occurs to cells across time •	Students will be able to understand that cancer represent a breakdown process that regulate the growth of normal cells and tissues •	Students will be able to understand that studying the processes involved in the development of cancer has led to a significantly Increased understanding of the normal cell cycle as well as to new strategies for treating cancer •	Cancer treatments may be successful at curing a person who is diagnosed with cancer. Review the types of treatments students created in the “treatment chart” in Lesson 2.1

MATERIALS: 1.	Diagram of normal cell and cancer cells 2.	Completed “Treatment Chart” 3.	Homework/quiz

PREPARATION: Before conducting the activity, the teacher will need to: Remind students to bring the completed “treatment Chart” and the microscope activity Make copies of the Normal cells vs Cancer cells diagram.

TIME: 90 minutes

ACTIVITY/ DISCUSSION

The teacher will start class with a review of what the have learned in the previous lesson, especially lesson 2.1 in which students were asked to propose successful cancer treatments. The following questions could be asked: •	Can cancer be treated? •	What did think was a good cancer treatment and why? •	Give some characteristics of cancer cells Using the diagram provided in lesson 3.1, students will gather into groups of 4-5 and have a discussion on: •	The shape of the cancer cells: If needed, the teacher will review some basic definition of: Cancer is the irregular growth of cells Benign – doesn’t spread Malignant- uncontrolled cell division •	. The shape and basic structure of normal cells compared to cancer cells The teacher will ask the student to identify and label the cytoplasm, nucleus, and cell membrane The teacher should also review cancer treatment: -Surgery-Radiation-Chemotherapy and-New treatments as proposed by students in lesson 2.1.The emphasis will be on the fact that for a treatment to be successful, only the cancer cells should be targeted. The side effects of the treatments are mostly due to the fact that healthy cells are also killed.

ASSESSMENT: The teacher will be able to observe the students in the class discussion and can assess how well they understand the material being presented. The instructor will vary his or her questions according the level of understanding the students achieve after each question.