Are you supposed to come up with your own design for an animal cell, or are you supposed to follow your teacher’s instructions? Do the cells have to be edible or non-edible? Which components of an animal cell must be included? How large must the cell model be? When must the cell model be completed? Must the cell model be 3D?
Nucleus. The nucleus is in the center of the cell. DNA is contained here, and the nucleus also governs protein synthesis. [1] X Research source Nucleolus. This is an organelle where RNA is produced. It is contained within the cell’s nucleus. [2] X Research source It is usually a slightly darker color than the nucleus. Nuclear membrane. This is a thin membrane surrounding the nucleus. [3] X Research source Centrosomes. These help create microtubules and are located just outside the nucleus. [4] X Research source Cell membrane. The cell membrane is the thin outside barrier of the cell, made out of protein and fat. [5] X Research source It allows certain materials though while keeping other organic materials safely within the cell. Cytoplasm. This substance is contained by the cell outside of the nucleus and within the cell membrane. It contains the other organelles of the cell that govern cell function, and it has a jellylike consistency. [6] X Research source Lysosomes. These organelles digest nutrients, and they are round in shape. [7] X Research source Ribosomes. Ribosomes are very small and grain like in appearance. They aid protein synthesis. [8] X Research source Golgi bodies. These look like a stack of flat circles, and they help construct membranes for other organelles. Vacuoles. These are asymmetrical sacs filled with fluid and surrounded by a membrane. They are used to store waste material. Endoplasmic reticulum. This is a set of connected, folded tubes within the cell, used to transport material from one part of the cell to another. An endoplasmic reticulum that is covered with ribosomes is referred to as a rough endoplasmic reticulum and one that is not covered with ribosomes is a smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum branches off from the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Mitochondria. Mitochondria convert glucose into energy for the cell. They can be round or rod-shaped. [9] X Research source
A light-colored gelatin mix, such as a lemon-flavored jello. You can also purchase a clear or light-colored fruit juice (like lemonade or limeade) along with unflavored gelatin packets. This will eventually be your cytoplasm. It is important that you pick a light color so that the other cell components will stand out. A large, pitted fruit to represent a nucleus (the fruit) and the nucleolus (the pit). Depending on how large your model is, you might use a plum, peach, apricot, or cherry. Small, round candies or fruits. These will represent your lysosomes. For example, M&Ms, Skittles, gumballs, or grapes might serve as effective lysosomes. [10] X Research source Oval- or rod-shaped candies or fruits. These will represent your mitochondria. Raisins, craisins, Mike & Ike’s, or dried apricots would all work, depending on the size of your model. Slightly larger, irregular candies or fruits. These will represent your vacuoles. Small banana slices, jawbreakers, or gummy rings are good options. [11] X Research source Very small, grain-shaped candies. These will represent your ribosomes, so they must be considerably smaller than your other cell components. Some good possibilities could include: Tic-Tacs, Nerds, or extra-small jelly beans. A round, dense piece of candy. This will represent your centrosome. Gumdrops or Gushers could make an effective centrosome. Long, stringy pieces of candy. These will represent the endoplasmic reticulum. If you want to be very precise, you can buy one type that is coated in sugar (to represent the rough endoplasmic reticulum) and one type that is smooth (to represent the smooth endoplasmic reticulum). Some excellent options include gummy worms, sour worms, and various kinds of licorice rope. [12] X Research source Long, flat candy or fruit roll-up. When you fold up a long, flat piece of candy or fruit snack, you will have an excellent representation of Golgi bodies. Try bubblegum tape, fruit roll-ups, or other kinds of fruit leather to create this organelle. [13] X Research source
Dissolve the gelatin in boiling water in a heat-proof bowl, stirring carefully. [14] X Research source Add cold water equal to the amount of boiling water. [15] X Research source Let the gelatin cool slightly. Carefully pour the mixture into the lined bowl you prepared. [16] X Research source Seal the bag and place it in the refrigerator until it is not-quite-set (45 minutes to an hour). [17] X Research source Remove the bag from the refrigerator when the gelatin is stiff enough to suspend your cell components but soft enough to insert fruits and candies deep within the mold.
If you have to transport the model for long distances, it is a good idea to use a cooler to make sure that your model doesn’t melt in the heat.
Enough cake batter to make a two-layer round cake. You can choose to bake any flavor of cake you wish, in a light or a dark color. You could even choose to bake one layer of each. This is the base of your cell. A cupcake top, a large piece of fruit, or a round cookie cutter to create the shape of your nucleus in the center of your cake. At least two different colors of frosting. You could choose to use two different flavors (such as lemon and raspberry) or you could add food coloring to a light-colored frosting to create a second color. You should use the lighter-colored frosting as your cytoplasm on top of the cake, and the darker color as the cell membrane to the sides of your cake. [20] X Research source Fondant and food coloring. If you wish to sculpt your own cell components out of fondant, you can purchase fondant in a store along with various kinds of food coloring to differentiate your organelles from one another. It is also possible to make your own fondant. If you do not wish to sculpt your cell components, you can choose appropriately shaped fruit, candy, and nuts to represent them instead. Small, round candies or fruits. These will represent your lysosomes. For example, M&Ms, Skittles, gumballs, or grapes might serve as effective lysosomes. [21] X Research source Oval- or rod-shaped candies, nuts, or fruits. These will represent your mitochondria. Raisins, craisins, Mike & Ike’s, almonds, or dried apricots would all work, depending on the size of your model. Slightly larger, irregular candies, nuts, or fruits. These will represent your vacuoles. Small banana slices, jawbreakers, brazil nuts, or gummy rings are good options. [22] X Research source Very small, grain-shaped candies or sprinkles. These will represent your ribosomes, so they must be considerably smaller than your other cell components. Some good possibilities could include: Tic-Tacs, Nerds, and various kinds of sprinkles or funfetti. A round, dense piece of candy. This will represent your centrosome. Gumdrops or Gushers could make an effective centrosome. [23] X Research source Long, stringy pieces of candy. These will represent the endoplasmic reticulum. If you want to be very precise, you can buy one type that is coated in sugar (to represent the rough endoplasmic reticulum) and one type that is smooth (to represent the smooth endoplasmic reticulum). Some excellent options include gummy worms, sour worms, and various kinds of licorice rope. [24] X Research source Long, flat candy or fruit roll-up. When you fold up a long, flat piece of candy or fruit snack, you will have an excellent representation of Golgi bodies. Try bubblegum tape, fruit roll-ups, or other kinds of fruit leather to create this organelle. [25] X Research source
Small, round lysosomes Tiny, granular ribosomes Long, thin endoplasmic reticulum Round, dense centrosomes A flat, circular stack of Golgi bodies Rod-shaped mitochondria Asymmetrical, hollow vacuoles
Modeling clay or play-doh in many different colors Styrofoam balls of varying sizes Several colors of paint Glue Toothpicks Scissors and/or a sharp knife Pipe cleaners Construction paper Small, round objects such as buttons, dry noodles, beads, pieces of cardboard or foamboard, glitter/confetti, or small pieces of plastic
If the ball is not yet colored, paint the outside of the ball any color you wish. You could also use your favorite color of play-doh or modeling clay to coat the outside of the ball in a solid color. [28] X Research source
For your nucleus: a small ball of play-doh or clay, a smaller styrofoam ball (cut in half), a ping-pong ball (cut in half), the plastic top of a large milk jug, or a plastic egg For your endoplasmic reticulum: string, twine, pipe cleaners, rubber cords, or bungee cord For your Golgi bodies: a small stack of cardboard circles glued together, a folded piece of ribbon Ribosomes: confetti, glitter, dry rice Lysosomes: buttons, small plastic circles, small paper or cardboard circles, small clay balls Mitochondria: dry macaroni noodles, oval-shaped buttons or toggles, almond-shaped beads, dry beans Vacuoles: glass marbles, hollow rubber balls cut in half, bottle caps, small cut-up pieces of a plastic bag
