Design A Bacterium Activity Handout Prokaryote

Fun biology worksheet on prokaryote structure—students use 20 points to design bacteria adapted to extreme environments.

Build-a-Bacterium: Design Challenge for High School & College Biology

Engaging Hands-On Activity | Cell Structure & Function | Prokaryote Adaptations

In this interactive biology activity, students practice their microbiology skills by designing their own bacteria! Each student (or group) receives an assigned environment - such as the human gut, ocean vent, or Arctic ice - and a budget of 20 points to “spend” on bacterial structures and adaptations. Structures like flagella, pili, capsules, and plasmids each have a point cost, so students must strategically choose which features best suit their bacterium’s survival in its environment.

This creative handout helps students deepen their understanding of prokaryotic cell structure, function, and adaptation while applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It’s ideal for reinforcing lessons on bacterial anatomy or as an engaging review before an assessment.

What’s Included:

Student handout (editable)

List of bacterial structures with point costs

Example environments

Learning Objectives:

Identify key bacterial cell structures and their functions

Explain how structure relates to function and environmental adaptation

Evaluate trade-offs and design a model organism based on constraints

Perfect for:

High school biology (general or honors)

Introductory college biology or microbiology

Substitute plans or review lessons

Keywords:
bacteria activity, prokaryote structure, cell structure and function, microbiology, biology worksheet, bacteria project, prokaryote adaptations, biology design challenge, cell structure activity, hands-on biology lesson