Cell Model

This project will be due ______________________________________

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The cell is the basic structure (part) or living piece of an organism. If you have a pet dog, it is made of cells. Believe it or not your little brother or sister is made out of cells. All living things are made of these small tiny structures we call cells. Cells work together for the benefit of living things. When your cells are healthy, you are healthy. Inside the cell are miniature organs called organelles. Just like you have organs (heart, kidney etc.) cells have similar structures or organelles. If you were to look inside a cell you could see its organelles. Plant and animal cells are alike in many ways but also have some major differences. Plant Cells

* Usually rectangular or square.

* Have a hard or rigid (not easily moved) cell wall. This covers the cell and protects it from injury. The cell membrane is just underneath the plant's cell wall.

* Plant cells have chloroplast. These organelles along with sunlight help the plant make food (autotrophic, can make their own food). This food has a funny name, glucose (C6H12O6). We will talk about how they do this another day.

* Large centralized vacuole. These organelles help store water and various materials for the cell.

Animal Cells

* Usually more circular than plant cells.

* Small vacuoles.

* Do not have cell walls or chloroplast.

Once you have decided what kind of cell you want to build (plant or animal) determine what objects will represent the various parts or organelles of your cell. Below is a list of the structures you must have in your cell model.

1. Cell membrane

2. Cell wall (plant cell)

3. Ribosomes

4. Nucleolus

5. Nucleus

6. Nuclear membrane

7. Cytoplasm

8. Mitochondria

9. Rough endoplasmic reticulum

10. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

11. Chloroplast (plant cell)

12. Chromatin / DNA

13. Vacuole

14. Golgi complex

All cell parts must be labeled or a key must be provided to help us interpret your cell model. Your project must be three dimensional. Do not create a poster, cake or cookies.

Be original, creative and have fun.