Hobbies And Interests
Cake
A standard sheet cake makes the right shape for an animal cell. Prepare a cake in a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish following the cake's baking instructions. Once the cake cools, turn it out onto a serving platter. Frost the top of the cake using store-bought or homemade frosting. Leave the frosting white to make it easier to see cell details or color it green using food coloring. Alternatively, cover the cake in rolled fondant instead of frosting. Either way, place the cell organelles onto the covered cake.
Gelatin
Another option for an edible plant cell project is using gelatin. Gelatin allows you to put the organelles inside the cell instead of on top of it like a cake-based plant cell. Place a 1 gallon zip-op bag inside a large square or rectangular-shaped plastic storage container. Fold the edges of the bag over the edges of the container to secure it. Mix a package of light-colored gelatin with warm water, according to package directions. Then pour the gelatin into the plastic bag. Let the gelatin set for 30 to 40 minutes until firm but not solid. Then, insert the organelles into the gelatin. Let the gelatin finish setting up. Once complete, seal the zip-top bag and remove it from the plastic container.
Edible Organelles
Use food from your kitchen to create the organelles for the cake or gelatin version of a plant cell. Use a small plum or large jawbreaker to represent the nucleus. A small red grape is the nucleolus and three raisins make the mitochondria. Use four green grapes to create the chloroplast. Make endoplasmic reticulum to by boiling a lasagna noodle and folding it up. Use six jellybeans for the Golgi body and five candy-covered chocolates vacuoles. Sprinkle candied sprinkles to create ribosomes.
Styrofoam
When you want a cell model that is inedible and will last, use a block of Styrofoam to create your cell. Start with a 6-inch by 12-inch block of Styrofoam. Use a serrated knife to cut down into the center of the block 7 inches in from the edge. Then, cut perpendicularly to the side of the block. Remove the cut out piece and discard it. Use the exposed inner section of the block to place the cell parts.
Non-Edible Organelles
Use products found at your local craft store to create an inedible cell's organelles. Play dough or modeling clay is one option. Create all organelles using the play dough, molding it with your hands. Then press it to the Styrofoam. If desired, paint the inside of the Styrofoam cut out first using acrylic paint. Use a green paint to represent the green nature of plant cells. Other craft supplies work, as well, to create the organelles. For example, use pom-poms or craft beads in different sizes and colors to create the nucleus, mitochondria and chloroplast. Fold pipe cleaners to create endoplasmic reticulum. Sprinkle glitter on to create the ribosomes.