How to Make a Model of a Human Body Cell

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Things You'll Need

  • 2 zipper-style plastic bags, gallon size

  • Small plastic ball or deflated balloon

  • Assorted small foods, such as miniature gumballs, gummy worms, sesame seeds, mints, dried fruit or jelly beans

  • Toothpicks or matches

  • Glitter

  • Corn syrup

Use jelly beans to represent organelles for your cell model.

Making a model of a human body cell is an interesting way to learn about this tiny organism. A cell comprises many parts that each have their own function in keeping the cell alive. A model needs to reflect the different parts so the viewer can have an understanding of how each part relies on the other. You can make a model of the human cell by using basic supplies available in every home or grocery store.

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Step 1

Open a zipper-style plastic bag. This will represent the protective cell membrane.

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Step 2

Place a small plastic ball or deflated balloon with the skinny end cut off into a zipper-style plastic bag. The ball or balloon will represent the cell nucleus.

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Step 3

Add assorted sesame seeds, mints, dried fruit, jelly beans and miniature gum balls to represent mitochondria, ribosomes, lysosomes and other types of organelles. Make the project educationally complete by deciding which item represents a specific type of organelle.

Step 4

Toss some toothpicks and matches into the bag to represent the endoplasmic reticulum.

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Step 5

Sprinkle some glitter into the bag to represent protein on its way to becoming some type of organelle.

Step 6

Fill the bag about half way to the top with corn syrup. You can find this on the baking aisle of your discount or grocery store. The corn syrup represents the cytoplasm.

Step 7

Close the zipper on the plastic bag. Place it into a second plastic bag and zip it to help protect your human body cell.

Tip

Have some extra "organelles" available for snacking.

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