The Incredible Edible Cell

The Incredible, Edible Cell

Project Due October 13

Activity purpose

People, dogs, plants, and algae all have something in common. As living things they share one feature in common, they are all made up of cells. Cells are the building blocks of living things. In this activity, you will make a model of the cell, plant or animal that is made of edible things. Cell Requirements The cell should be entirely edible. A person should be able to eat it, but not necessarily want to eat it. This means using items that are not palatable together is acceptable. Your project should be able to make the journey to school and last all day. Sorry, no ice cream cells! Jello makes good cell parts that can make it to class and last, but you’ll have to add more gelatin than usual for it to survive outside of the fridge. Your project should be no smaller than 10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm. You may make a plant or an animal cell, but be sure to include the required and appropriate organelles. The organelles can be made of anything edible, but make sure to use the correct scale. This means, ribosomes should be very small the nucleus should be large, etc. There will also be a short presentation requirement where you explain your cell. This may be just to the teacher or it may also be to the entire class. In the presentation, you will be graded on your ability to speak about your cell using little or no notes, if possible. You should be familiar enough with your cell and the cell parts that you do not need notes. If you check the internet with your parents, you will find many cell drawings and also some ideas for edible cells. At the bottom of this page, I have included some good websites for cells. This will count as a test grade. Required Organelles (depending on cell type) Cell wall Cytoplasm Cell membrane Nucleus

Ribosomes Endoplasmic reticulum, (rough, smooth, or both) Golgi bodies

Mitochondria Lysosome Vacuole Chloroplast

Other Requirements • • • • •

•

Name Identify cell type: plant or animal 3-D representation of cell, including proper scale of organelles. Correct organelles for cell Labels for each organelle. Toothpicks or something similar with flags can be used or you can creatively come up with your own labeling system. If labels are not used, a key must be drawn. The key should be neat and colored to match your cell. A sample of a label (or required label on key) is below. Neatness definitely counts so please keep that in mind. If your handwriting is poor, use the computer to create your labels or even your whole key. Sample label

Resources for You http://www.cellsalive.com/ http://www.biology4kids.com/files/cell_main.html

MITOCHONDRIA Converts food to energy.

Grading Rubric

Identification of Cell Type

Organelles

Presentation

Beginning

Developing

Accomplished

Exemplary

1

2

4

Cell type is not displayed or is incorrect.

Cell type is not displayed and/or student cannot explain differences in cell types.

3 Cell type is displayed but student cannot completely explain differences in cell type.

Required organelles are not included and/or organelles are not labeled or there is no key.

The majority of organelles are included. The organelles may not be clearly labeled or have a color key.

All required organelles are included and no additional organelles are included. They are labeled and/or there is a key.

All required organelles are included and no additional organelles are included. They are neatly labeled and/or there is a color key.

Student cannot explain cell or organelles. Student was not professional or organized. Student could not answer questions about the project and/or there was silliness in presentation.

Student cannot explain cell or organelles without reading off of his/her notes. Student was not professional in presentation. Student did not take presentation seriously or there was silliness in presentation.

Student can explain cell and organelles but needed notes a few times. Student was organized and professional in presentation.

Student did not require notes during presentation. Student was organized, professional and able to answer questions without any silliness.

Score

Cell type is neatly displayed and student can explain differences in cell types.

The cell parts may or may not The cell is not be easily The cell parts are neat. Labels identifiable upon easily identifiable and/or key is viewing but the upon viewing with Neatness missing. There is labels/drawing little explanation no evidence that key is clear, neat, from student. time or care was and informative. The labels and/or taken on the Viewer can see key drawing are project. that time was neat and legible. taken on the project. Timeliness is worth 20% of your grade. One class period late is -20%, after that date (10/13/08), the project will not be accepted. The cell is not very neat. The labels and/or key drawing is needed to understand the cell parts. It is questionable whether the student took much time on the project.