Peer into the microscopic world with a model cell.
Animal cells are the basic building blocks of life. Note that one basic structure and a few subsystems can be responsible for the amazing diversity of animal life on Earth. Creating a model animal cell will help you visualize the individual parts of a cell and learn about their functions. Use your creativity with your model and have fun.
Instructions
1. Familiarize yourself with the major parts of the inside of a cell, called organelles (see the link in the Resources section).
2. Draw a diagram of a cell, and label each organelle. Add color to the diagram using colored pencils, and use as much detail as possible. Include the nucleus, nucleolus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi body, vacuoles and ribosomes.
3. Find small objects that share a characteristic with each organelle; they might have similar shapes or functions. You might also use food, fruit or pasta to create an edible cell. If interested in extra detail, model each part out of clay.
4. Create a key for your cell in which you clearly label each item in the model, explain why you chose that particular item to represent an organelle and define the organelle's function in the life of a cell.
5. Open a plastic bag, and lay it on a flat surface. The bag represents the cell's boundary, called a membrane.
6. Prepare a packet of transparent gelatin according to the instructions on the box.
7. Pour the warm liquid gelatin into the plastic bag until you have nearly filled it. The gelatin will represent cytoplasm, the thick liquid that holds a cell's organelles in place.
8. Add the organelles to your cell while the gelatin is still liquid.
9. Seal the plastic bag, and put it in the refrigerator for a few hours until the gelatin becomes firm.
10. Display your completed cell along with the diagram.
