How to Build 3D Models of Animal and Plant Cells
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Wondering how to build your own 3D model of a plant cell? It's easy to do using just food and simple items from the craft box. Follow the steps carefully to have a successful model that makes learning about cells fantastically easy.
[edit] Steps
- Place one plastic bag in a small square plastic container. Ensure that the plastic bag completely lines the container.
- Lay the other plastic sack open on a table. The plastic sacks represent cell membranes, while the plastic container represents a cell wall.
- Mix the Jell-O (jelly/gelatin) mixture with warm water. For a stiffer gelatin use less water than called for.
- Fill up the plastic bags with the warm Jell-O mix. Put the same amount of Jell-o into the two plastic sacks, so that they are nearly full.
- Put the cell organelles into the Jell-o:
- 1 plum representing the nucleus;
- 1 small grape for the nucleolus;
- 2-4 mandarin oranges representing the mitochondria;
- 2-4 green peas to represent the lysosomes;
- 2-4 grapes to represent chloroplasts (to be put only in the square plastic container;
- some lasagna type pasta to represent the endoplasmic reticulum;
- small pieces of cardboard (with the corners rounded off and the flat edge split in half so that looking at it from the top it looks like a long, skinny oval) to represent the Golgi body;
- small buttons form the vacuoles; and
- lots of regular table pepper to form the tiny ribosomes.
- The plastic sacks should then be closed with a twist tie. Refrigerate the "cell" until it sets, most likely the next day.
- Label each characteristic of the plant cell.
- Write up a science report on the project that discusses the different cell parts, what their function is and how you made the model. You may include photos or drawings if possible if you would like.
[edit] Tips
- Make sure the Jell-O has enough time to solidify. Try to keep it in the fridge for a day.
- Sprinkle the pepper all along the cell wall and nucleus (plum). Use a good sized portion of pepper.
[edit] Warning
- This could be very messy. Make sure you have parental participation and help before starting this project.
[edit] Things You'll Need
- 2 Plastic bags
- Boiling water
- Large mixing bowls
- Spoons
- Square plastic food container
- Refrigerator
- Cardboard
- Small T-Shirt buttons
- 1 plum
- 1 small grape
- 2-4 mandarin oranges
- 2-4 green peas
- 2-4 grapes
- Some lasagna type pasta
- Bowl
- Jello mix
