How to Build 3-D Plant Cells for School Projects
Plant cell structure and the function of the parts of a cell are sometimes easier to understand with a three-dimensional model of a plant cell and its organelles to study. Cell processes may seem complicated, and the process of building a cell model may help you visualize what each part does. You can create an easy cell model using Jell-O to represent the cytosol (the material in which the cell structures are suspended) and other edible components to show the organelles within the cell.
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Things You'll Need
- Large bowl
- Square plastic storage container
- Plastic bag
- Water
- Cardboard, cut into four 2-inch oval shapes
- Large button
- Plum
- Small red grape
- 3 medium green grapes
- 2 to 4 small (Mandarin) oranges
- 2 pieces lasagna-style pasta
- Candy sprinkles
- Lemon Jell-O mix
Instructions
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1
Line the square plastic container with the plastic bag. The bag represents the cell membrane, and the storage container represents the cell wall.
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2
Mix the Jell-O in a large bowl according to package directions. Other flavors will work, but lemon is best because the cell structures are easier to see through it.
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3
Pour the Jell-O into the plastic bag while it's still warm, filling the container to within an inch of the top.
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4
Before the Jell-O hardens, add the cell structures.
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5
Place the plum near the center of the cell to represent the nucleus. The cell's nucleus controls all activity within the cell.
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6
Add the red grape close to the plum; this grape represents the nucleolus, which is responsible for ribosome production.
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7
Place the mandarin oranges in the container to represent mitochondria, which provide energy for the cell.
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8
Put the green grapes into your 3-D plant cell model; these will represent chloroplasts, which contain chlorophyll and use photosynthesis to produce food in the form of sugars and starches.
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9
Place the pieces of lasagna pasta near the nucleus to represent the endoplasmic reticulum. This structure has several functions within the cell, including protein packaging for transport.
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10
Add the small oval-shaped cardboard pieces stacked to represent the Golgi body, which stores and distributes proteins created in the endoplasmic reticulum.
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11
Put the button into the container to represent the vacuole. This structure stores water for the plant and is the cause of rigidity in plant stems. A plant cell has one large vacuole.
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12
Add a few candy sprinkles to represent ribosomes, which are the protein builders of the cell.
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13
Use a twist tie to close the bag, and place the container in the refrigerator overnight to allow the Jell-O to harden.
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