Download Scale Model of a Cell (A)

Name: _________________
Date: _________________
Period: _________________
Scale Model of a Cell (A)
Cells come in many different shapes and sizes. Most are so small that they are measured in micrometers (µm) or
microns. One micron is equal to one millionth of a meter or one thousandth of a millimeter. Because they are so small,
you need a microscope to see most cells, so our scale models will be much larger than the average cell. The scale of our
model is 1 µm: 0.5 cm. That means that each µm in a real cell will be equal to 0.5 cm on our model.
Materials:
Calculator
Metric Ruler
Model or poster supplies
Calculate:
Complete the table to find out how large the organelles on your model should be.
Organelle
Average Size (µm)
Size x Scaling Factor
Model Size (cm)
Average Cell
30 µm diameter
30 µm x 0.5 cm/ µm
15 cm
Nucleus
(round)
10 µm diameter
1.
2.
Nucleolus
(round)
2 µm diameter
3.
4.
Mitochondria
(oval)
6 µm long x 1 µm wide
5.
6.
Lysosome
(round)
2 µm diameter
7.
8.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
4 µm out from nucleus
9.
10.
Golgi Complex
1 µm long x 1 µm wide
(membranes have thickness
of ER)
11.
12.
Central Vacuole (plant cells)
14 µm wide x 20 µm tall
13.
14.
Ribosomes
(no scale – make tiny dots)
Chloroplasts
(plants only – disc shaped)
5 µm diameter x 2 µm thick
15.
16.
Cell Wall (plants only)
(no scale – make thin line)
Cell Membrane
(no scale – make thin line)
Measurements:
Use the table you completed to measure the following parts of the cell.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Average Cell Diameter
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Nucleus Diameter
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Mitochondria Length ( & Width)
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Central Vacuole Length (& Width) (plant cells only)
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Chloroplasts (plants only)
Diameter
Procedure:
1. Use the scale on your table to figure out what size your cell should be. Then make the main body of the cell.
2. List all of the organelles for your model on a key.
3. Use the scale on the table to make the nucleus of your cell. Add the nucleus to your key.
4. Use the scale to make all the other organelles. Each time you make an organelle, add it to your key. Use
different colors for different organelles.
5. Assemble your model.
6. Put your name and class period are on your model and key.
7. Answer the questions below.
Questions:
1. What is the smallest organelle in a typical cell?
2. What organelles are NOT part of an animal cell?
3. Scale models are not only used for cells. List two other examples where scale models are used.
Model – 50 points
Grading Criteria




Your name and period are on your model and key. (2 points)
Different colors are used to represent different organelles. (6 points)
The model is neat. (6 points)
Each organelle is 1) present, 2) to scale, and is 3) on the key. (36 points)