Study of cells

Introduction: Cells are usually viewed by a microscope. We see them at one plane at a time. It is easy to lose sight of the fact that cells are three dimensional. Building a 3-D can help reinforce this concept.

Background

In the 17th century Robert Hooke used a microscope to examine shreds of a cork. He marveled when he saw an internal structure within the cork pieces-little box like units that appeared to be empty. At the thinnest areas of the cork he could he could see right through the box like units. He called these structures cells.

Since Robert Hooke, many people have marveled at the "little boxes" when looking through a microscope, The size, shape, and variety of living cells is mind boggling. Cells, through very small are very complex. They have have mechanisms for obtaining and using energy, reproducing, transporting materials, as well as a myriad of cellular processes.

Parts of cells

1.Cell Membrane-outer membrane of the cell it controls the passage of materials of materials in and out of the cell.

2.Cell Wall- is fond in plant cells, outside the cell membrane it provides extra protection to plant cells.

3. Cytoplasm-semi-fluid materials surrounding the organelles.

4.Nucleus-constants most of cell DNA-controls all functions of cell.

5. Nucleoli- one or more found in nucleus- is the site of synthesis and assembly of r RNA and tRNA.

6. Lysosome- site of the cell that digest food.

7.Mitochondria-site of cellular respiration in the cell-there may be several hundred in a cell.

8. Endoplasmic reticulum-tubular membrane system that compartmentalizes the cytosol and contains the ribosomes site of protein synthesis.

9.Golgi body-Flattened sac-like organelle that assist in the delivery of materials to other organelles.

10.Chloroplast- Contains the light-absorbing pigments in photosynthetic cells, the site of photosynthesis.

11.Vacuole-Variable in size, may be large in plant but small in animal- stores nutrients and waste products

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Materials

1. Flinn Cell-gel 250ml 2.Heat resistant gloves

3.Cell-making mold 4.Hot plate

5.Cell organelle model materials 6.Pot(beaker)

7.Zipper-lock bag

Produces

Step 1. Be sure cell structures and their functions have been studied and reviewed before building a model.

Step 2.Collect possible materials to represent the organelles in your cell model. Your cell will be 250 ml in volume so pick small things. Examine all of the materials and discuss the relative merits of each item for representing the organelle. the cell gel will be hot when poured in to the mold, so item that melt easily cannot be used.

Step 3.Now put the cell-gel into the beaker and melt the gel completely then pour into mold(or back into original container).

Step 4. Pour the melted gel into the mold and let it cool. As it cool it will become thick and less of a liquid-like.Place your item representing your organelles into the mold.Label the organelles if needed

Now repeat the step with the animal cell.