Download Plant Cells

Plant Cells
Understanding plant cellular structure
Topics: Plant Cell
Structure, Modeling
Materials List
 Fabric strips, any
size
 Foam, various types
 Clear plastic
containers (e.g.,
clamshell-type)
 Packing peanuts
 Cardboard
 Cardstock
 Coffee stirrers,
plastic (any color)
 Green file folders
 Glue
 Scissors
 Markers or crayons
 Optional: Marbles,
beads, chenille
stems, buttons
 Illustration of plant
cell (see page 2)
Gain a deeper understanding of the structures and functions found in plant cells by
creating a model from repurposed materials.
To Do and Notice
1. Examine the attributes, such as color, flexibility, weight, and texture, of each type
of item that is available.
2. Based upon the items’ attributes choose an item to represent each type of
organelle found in the plant cell. Refer to plant cell illustration on the next page
to help inspire creativity and the table below for information.
3. Construct a plant cell model using the selected items.
4. Explain the choices of material used for the organelles to a partner or group.
Organelle
Cell membrane
Cell wall (plants only)
Chloroplast (plants only)
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
Golgi body (apparatus)
Lysosome
Mitochondrion
Nucleus
Nucleolus
Ribosome
Vacuole (large in plants)
Function
Provides fluidity, protection, and nutrient transport
Provides structure (via turgidity), prevents water loss
Contains pigments for photosynthesis
Material transport, involved in protein & lipid synthesis
Packages, sorts, and modifies molecules used by cell
Digests waste materials including “dead” organelles
Converts food to energy (ATP) using enzymes
Controls cell functions, contains DNA
Produces ribosome subunits
Protein synthesis, made of two protein-based subunits
Food / waste storage, provides turgor (plants only)
The Science Behind the Activity
This activity can be used
to teach:
 Cells & Cell Function
(Next Generation
Science Standards:
Middle School, Life
Science 1-1, 1-2)
Modeling provides an opportunity for students to translate and to communicate
scientific information in a meaningful way that strengthens observation skills. Social
interaction and summarization skills are strengthened when the student explains the
selection process used in building the student’s model.
All organisms, animals and plants, are composed of cells. Cells were discovered in
1665 by English scientist Robert Hooke when he used a microscope to examine a
piece of cork. Cells contain smaller parts, called organelles, each with specific
functions. Almost all living things are eukaryotic (meaning “true nucleus”) and
contain genetic material in an organelle called the nucleus. Other types of organelles
found in plant cells and their functions are summarized in the table.
Plant cells have unique features such as a cell wall and chloroplasts. The cell wall,
made of cellulose, protects plant cells from losing water and makes the cell stiffer.
Written and illustrated by Eric Welker (RAFT)
Copyright 2015, RAFT
The cell wall controls the ability of a plant to stand upright, turgidity, and is related to the fluid content of the cell.
When more fluid is stored inside a plant cell’s vacuole the cell will become more rigid due to the increased water
pressure. When the cell wall is weakened or broken, water flows out, the cell loses water pressure, and wilts
(becomes flaccid). Breaking the cell walls can even be audible - as when biting into a piece of raw celery.
Chloroplasts are organelles that contain chlorophyll, a green pigment that is key to the process of photosynthesis.
This process uses carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules from the air and water (H2O) molecules and rearranges the
molecules into sugars and oxygen. Photosynthesis generates oxygen as a waste product and is powered by light,
hence the name. The plant uses the energy stored in the sugars as food. At night, in the absence of
photosynthesis, the plant takes in oxygen, uses the sugars, and gives off carbon dioxide. Animal and plant cells
both metabolize the “food” in the mitochondria of the cell. In the case of animal cells the “food” must ultimately
come from an outside source.
Taking It Further
 Model an animal cell - see RAFT Idea Sheet Animal Cells.
 Why are some chlorophyll containing plants other colors and not green?
Web Resources (Visit www.raft.net/raft-idea?isid=557 for more resources!)


An excellent illustration of animal cell structure can be found at:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/animals/cell/anatomy.GIF
Detailed information regarding organelle function and physiology can be found at:
http://www.cellsalive.com/index.htm & http://www.biologyjunction.com/cell_functions.htm
Illustration of Plant Cell
Plant Cells, page 2
Copyright 2015, RAFT