Cells: Building Blocks of Life – 6th Grade Science Worksheet (Free Printable)

This free 6th grade science worksheet covers cell theory, cell structures, and the differences between plant and animal cells.

Reading Passage

All living things are made of cells. This is part of cell theory, first developed by scientists in the 1800s. Cells are the smallest units of life. Most cells have a nucleus, which controls the cell's activities. The cell membrane surrounds every cell and controls what enters and exits. Plant cells also have a cell wall and chloroplasts, which animal cells do not. Chloroplasts allow plants to use sunlight to make food through photosynthesis. Some organisms, like bacteria, are made of just one cell.

Questions

  1. What is the smallest unit of life? (A cell / An atom / A tissue / An organ)
  2. The ___ controls the cell's activities.
  3. Animal cells have chloroplasts.
  4. What do chloroplasts allow plants to do? (Make food using sunlight through photosynthesis / Absorb water from the soil / Control what enters the cell / Reproduce quickly)
  5. Bacteria are made of just one cell.

About This Worksheet

Cell theory is a foundational concept in life science. This worksheet introduces 6th graders to the idea that all living things are made of cells and covers key organelles found in plant and animal cells.

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