The Cell Membrane

• An important feature of all living cells is the ability to separate the cell environment from the external environment surrounding the cell. A sealable plastic bag provides a good starting point in the creation of a model animal cell. The bag provides a definitive boundary between the internal compartment of the cell and the outside world.
  
  

The Cytoplasm

• The cytoplasm is a fluid environment in which the other organelles are suspended. It is much more than just water, and many cellular processes occur in whole or in part within the cytoplasm. For the model, the cytoplasm is represented by clear, unflavored gelatin. Reducing the water used in making the gelatin by one-fourth will create a more stable medium in which to place the items representing the organelles. Place the "cytoplasm" in a rigid container of equivalent size to the bag. This will allow the bag to remain upright and open while the model is being constructed. Pour the liquid gelatin into the bag, ensuring that enough room is available for the bag to be fully sealed after the addition of the cell components. Allow the cytoplasm to partially set before adding additional materials.
  
  

Cell Components

• The largest structure in the cell is the nucleus and may be represented by small fruit such as a plum. An added bonus of using a plum is that the pit becomes a representation of the nucleolus within the nucleus. The mitochondria may be represented by slices of mandarin oranges. Additional structures within the cell include the Golgi apparatus, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum which are represented by differently colored strips of fruit roll-ups folded upon themselves in a pancake fashion; ribosomes, represented by candy sprinkles (preferably round); and peroxisomes, lysosomes and vacuoles, which are represented by various candy such as M&Ms, jawbreakers and gum drops. Once all components are added to the bag, close and refrigerate.