Life Science: Cells & Genetics

Understanding Life Through Two Lenses

Grade 6

About This Workbook: The Dual-View Approach

In this workbook, you'll learn about cells and genetics from two perspectives:

What Textbooks Teach (Mainstream View)

This is what most public schools and secular textbooks teach. You need to know this material for standardized tests, but you should also understand its assumptions and limitations.

What Scripture Says (Biblical Truth)

This is what the Bible reveals about Yahuah's creation. Scripture is our ultimate authority, and true science will always align with His Word.

Problems with the Mainstream View

Here we examine evidence that contradicts evolutionary assumptions and supports intelligent design. Real science asks hard questions!

"I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Your works." - Psalm 139:14

1Introduction to Cells

Cell: The basic unit of life. All living things are made of one or more cells.

What Textbooks Teach

Cell Theory (3 Parts):

  1. All living things are made of cells
  2. Cells are the basic unit of structure and function
  3. All cells come from pre-existing cells

Textbooks claim the first cells arose from non-living chemicals billions of years ago through random chemical reactions (abiogenesis).

What Scripture Says

Yahuah created all living things during Creation Week. Life did not arise from non-life by accident.

Problems with Abiogenesis

"Know that Yahuah He is Elohim: it is He that has made us, and not we ourselves." - Psalm 100:3

Practice

1. What are the three parts of cell theory?

2. What did Louis Pasteur prove about life?

3. Why is it impossible for a cell to form by random chance?

4. According to Scripture, where does all life come from?

Family Discussion

2Cell Structure & Organelles

Parts of a Cell (Organelles)

Organelle Function Analogy
Cell Membrane Controls what enters/exits the cell Security gate
Nucleus Contains DNA; controls cell activities Control center/brain
Mitochondria Produces energy (ATP) Power plant
Ribosomes Makes proteins Factory assembly line
Endoplasmic Reticulum Transports materials Highway system
Golgi Body Packages and ships proteins Shipping department
Lysosomes Breaks down waste Recycling center

Evidence of Intelligent Design

A cell is like a miniature city with factories, power plants, transportation systems, communication networks, and defense systems - all working together perfectly!

Could random chance design a city? Then why believe it designed a cell?

What Scripture Says

"For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth... all things were created by Him, and for Him." - Colossians 1:16

The incredible design in cells points to an intelligent Creator!

Cell Diagram - Label the Parts

[Draw and label: Cell membrane, Nucleus, Mitochondria, Ribosomes, ER, Golgi, Lysosomes]

Draw your labeled cell diagram here

Practice

1. Match the organelle to its function:

___ NucleusA. Produces energy
___ MitochondriaB. Makes proteins
___ RibosomesC. Contains DNA
___ Cell MembraneD. Controls entry/exit

2. Why does cell complexity suggest design rather than chance?

3. What happens if a cell is missing its mitochondria?

Family Activity

3DNA: The Code of Life

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): The molecule that contains the genetic instructions for all living things. It's shaped like a twisted ladder (double helix).

What Textbooks Teach

What Scripture Says

DNA is Yahuah's instruction manual for life, written at the moment of creation:

DNA: The Ultimate Evidence for Design

"In the beginning was the Word..." (John 1:1) - Yahuah is the author of genetic information!

Problems with Random Evolution of DNA

"By the word of Yahuah were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." - Psalm 33:6

Practice

1. What are the 4 bases in DNA?

A = T =

G = C =

2. Why is DNA evidence of intelligent design?

3. Can information arise by random chance? Explain.

4. What does Psalm 139:16 suggest about DNA?

Family Activity

4Genetics & Inheritance

Genetics: The study of heredity - how traits are passed from parents to offspring.
Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a specific trait (like eye color or height).

Gregor Mendel: Father of Genetics

Gregor Mendel was a Christian monk who discovered the laws of inheritance by studying pea plants in the 1860s. His faith led him to see order and design in creation!

What Textbooks Teach

What Scripture Says

Genetics confirms "after their kind" - we see variation within kinds, never one kind becoming another!

Problems with Evolution Through Mutations

Created Kinds vs. Evolution

What We Observe What Evolution Claims
Dogs always produce dogs Dogs evolved from non-dogs
Variation within kinds (dog breeds) New kinds evolve over time
Mutations cause disease Mutations create new features
Kinds remain distinct All life shares common ancestor
"And Elohim made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creeps upon the earth after his kind: and Elohim saw that it was good." - Genesis 1:25

Practice

1. What phrase does Genesis 1 repeat about reproduction?

2. Do we observe dogs producing cats? What do dogs always produce?

3. What do mutations typically do to genetic information?

[ ] Create new information    [ ] Lose or damage information

4. Why did Gregor Mendel (a Christian) make such important discoveries?

Family Activity

5Cell Division: Mitosis & Meiosis

Mitosis: Cell division that produces two identical cells (for growth and repair).
Meiosis: Cell division that produces sex cells (eggs and sperm) with half the chromosomes.

The Process of Mitosis

Phase What Happens
1. InterphaseCell grows; DNA copies itself
2. ProphaseChromosomes condense; nuclear membrane dissolves
3. MetaphaseChromosomes line up in the middle
4. AnaphaseChromosomes separate to opposite sides
5. TelophaseNuclear membranes reform; cell divides

The Miracle of Cell Division

Cell division is like a factory producing perfect copies of a complex machine - it requires incredible engineering!

What Scripture Says

Yahuah designed reproduction from the beginning:

"You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews." - Job 10:11

Practice

1. What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?

Mitosis:

Meiosis:

2. Put the phases of mitosis in order:

___ Telophase   ___ Metaphase   ___ Anaphase   ___ Prophase   ___ Interphase

3. How accurate is DNA replication?

4. How does cell division show evidence of design?

Family Activity

6Review: Cells & Genetics Point to the Creator

Key Truths We've Learned

Summary of Biblical View

  1. Life only comes from life - Yahuah is the source of all life
  2. Cells are incredibly complex - designed by an intelligent Creator
  3. DNA contains coded information - information requires an Author
  4. Creatures reproduce "after their kind" - just as Genesis says
  5. Cell division is precision engineering - not random chance
  6. Mutations damage, they don't create - no evolution observed

What Mainstream Science Cannot Explain

The answer to all these questions: "In the beginning, Elohim created..." (Genesis 1:1)

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and divine nature." - Romans 1:20

Final Assessment

1. State the Law of Biogenesis:

2. Name 3 organelles and their functions:

3. Why is DNA evidence of design rather than evolution?

4. What does "after their kind" mean for genetics?

5. Write a paragraph explaining why cells prove Yahuah exists:

Celebration!

Answer Key

Lesson 1

2. Life only comes from life (biogenesis)

4. Yahuah/Elohim - the Creator

Lesson 2

Matching: C, A, B, D

3. It would have no energy and die

Lesson 3

1. Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, Cytosine

3. No - information always comes from an intelligent source

Lesson 4

1. "After their kind"

2. Dogs (never cats)

3. Lose or damage information

Lesson 5

Order: 5, 3, 4, 2, 1

3. 99.9999% accurate

Lesson 6

1. Life only comes from life