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Introduction to Cell Biology

This collection introduces fundamental concepts in cell biology using images of human cells from the Allen Institute for Cell Science. 

About these activities

This collection of presentations and activities introduces fundamental concepts in cell biology using images of human cells from the Allen Institute for Cell Science. Topics include the link between cell health and human health, differences between healthy and diseased cells, using microscopes to take images of cells, cell image analysis and more. The teaching materials include ready-to-use slideshows for teachers to present, videos of Allen Institute for Cell Science cell biologists presenting the same material, and activities using the open data from the Allen Cell Explorer.

The Allen Cell Explorer is an open data set featuring tens of thousands of research-grade cell images. Students use open data accessible from the site for the activity, and the presentations feature additional images from these datasets. Students are also encouraged to refer to the Visual Guide to Human Cells, an interactive resource developed specifically for students that explores and explains the functions of cell structures.

INTRO TO MICROSCOPY LESSON PLAN

INTRO TO MICROSCOPY SLIDES

Healthy Cells, Healthy Bodies

Reading & resources:

Five things we still don't know about cells

Picture one of your cells. Chances are you’re thinking about the fried-egg-reminiscent illustration.
5 things we (still) don’t know about cells
The Visual Guide to Human Cells lets users rotate, zoom in and out, and highlight different structures inside a 3D model of a human stem cell.

Visual Guide to Human Cells

Take a look inside healthy human cells with the Visual Guide to Human Cells.
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Human Stem Cell Observations

Allen Cell Explorer: Cell Structure Observations

Observations about microscopy videos for 16 cell lines in the Allen Cell Collection
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