How to Make an Edible Animal Cell Model

Cells are the building blocks of life.

Cells are the basic building blocks of life. Although tiny, cells are complex structures. Making an edible animal cell model is an engaging and delicious way to learn the various parts of the cell.

Things You'll Need

• Diagram of an animal cell
• Medium clear class bowl
• Several fruit roll-ups
• Lemon flavored gelatin
• Knife
• Small plum
• Various candies to represent parts of the cell

Instructions

1. Reference the animal cell diagram and assign a type of candy to represent each part of the cell.

2. Line the glass bowl with unraveled fruit roll-ups, to represent the cell membrane.

3. Mix the lemon gelatin according to package instructions, reducing the water by 3/4-cup to increase the density. The gelatin represents the cytoplasm.

4. Pour the gelatin into the glass bowl and place in the refrigerator for approximately ten minutes, or until the gelatin begins to firm slightly.

5. Use a knife to cut the plum in half without removing the pit. Place the plum, pit side up, in the bowl of gelatin, to represent the nucleus and nucleolus.

6. Arrange the remaining candies in the bowl of gelatin, to represent the remaining parts of the cell.

7. Place the completed model in the refrigerator, until the gelatin hardens completely.

Tips & Warnings

• Suggestions for candy include orange slice candies for mitochondria, jelly beans for lysosomes, plain gummy worms for smooth endoplasmic reticulum, sour gummy worms for rough endoplasmic reticulum, red licorice for golgi bodies, raisins for vacuoles and sprinkles for ribosomes.

References

• Enchanted Learning: Jello Animal Cell Craft
• Applie's Place: The Incedible Edible Animal Cell
• You Tube: Edible Animal Cell Project

Resources

• Molecular Expressions: Animal Cell Structure