Edible Cells

    Aim: To produce a model of a cell.

  Materials: cup of gelled Jello™ , gum balls, licorice, sprinkles, jelly beans, raisins, baggies, assorted beans, pasta, rice, etc., paper plates, plastic knifes.

  Procedure:

1. Carefully remove the Jello™ from the plastic cup onto the paper plate. You might try running your knife around the edges or briefly dipping it in hot water to facilitate this part.

2. Carefully cut the "cell" in half and place the top half beside the bottom half on your plate.
3. Use a spoon to dig out a hole in the bottom half and place your "nucleus" in this hole.
4. Continue to use your spoon to create spaces for the rest of your "organelles" 

5. Your model may be either a plant or animal cell.  Use the cup as the cell wall if you select to do a plant cell.  Your model must include at least 10 organelles.  In selecting the materials, keep the following criteria in mind:
   
   

When you have completed the model, carefully  place the top half of the jello over the bottom and make a key showing what each part represents.

Follow-up Questions:

1. List the function(s) of each organelle in your model.

2. What does the Jello™ represent?  In what way(s) does it simulate the actual material.

3. If you selected to create an animal cell, explain what you would need to change to create a plant cell.  If you selected a plant cell, explain what an animal cell would look like.

4. Which organelles were visible under the light microscope?  Explain why many of the organelles in your model were not visible. 

5. The cell membrane is described as being selectively permeable.  Explain what that means.