In order to understand how cells function, we often have to use analogies to everyday items or processes to explain the jobs of the various organelles. In this assignment, we're asking you to determine which everyday items that you can find around the house (from your kitchen/desk drawers, backpack, a recycling bin, food, etc.) to represent the organelles inside a cell, and to assemble those items into a 3-dimensional representation of a eukaryotic (plant or animal) cell. Think about how the items you're using can best represent the various parts of the cells and their functions. For example, what does the mitochondria do? What household item do you have that is analogous, or could represent that function?
Note that the items that you find may or may not visually resemble their cellular counterparts. It's fine if they don't - weâre looking for you to demonstrate to us that you know what the various organelles do, and that you can think creatively about what objects fill that role in your house or in your life. Therefore, your finished "model" may not look much (or at all) like the diagram of a cell from your textbook! However, if the spatial organization of organelles is important (e.g. if one type of organelle is always located next to another), we do expect to see that reflected in your model.
Your model will need to include:
A picture (or pictures) of your model. The picture(s) must contain your name written on a piece of paper next to your model. If you'd like, include a picture of yourself with your model. (A cell-fie!)
Proper identification of the cell (is it a plant or animal cell)?
For each organelle/structure:
Correct labeling/identification of the structure in your image/video
A description of the organelle's function, which should be in YOUR OWN WORDS, not copied from the book, lectures, or other sites.
A justification for why the object that you chose to represent each organelle is a good analogy for that organelle's function.
Attention to quality and creativity â which will weigh into the overall evaluation.
You can do this in a text document, a powerpoint presentation, or a short video in which you verbally explain your model (be sure to include your name in the video!). Note that you will NOT receive credit for a drawing of a cell or a collage or collection of images found online. Any images you submit must be completely original and made by you. Your name should be in any document and/or picture you submit. Submissions without names will receive reduced credit.
This is NOT intended to be a burdensome exercise, nor should you need to purchase any materials to complete this assignment - I would like for it to be a fun way for you to practice working with the different types of organelles and their structures and functions, and to think creatively about the materials you have on hand.
In order to understand how cells function, we often have to use analogies to everyday items or processes to explain the jobs of the various organelles. In this assignment, we're asking you to determine which everyday items that you can find around the house (from your kitchen/desk drawers, backpack, a recycling bin, food, etc.) to represent the organelles inside a cell, and to assemble those items into a 3-dimensional representation of a eukaryotic (plant or animal) cell. Think about how the items you're using can best represent the various parts of the cells and their functions. For example, what does the mitochondria do? What household item do you have that is analogous, or could represent that function?
Note that the items that you find may or may not visually resemble their cellular counterparts. It's fine if they don't - weâre looking for you to demonstrate to us that you know what the various organelles do, and that you can think creatively about what objects fill that role in your house or in your life. Therefore, your finished "model" may not look much (or at all) like the diagram of a cell from your textbook! However, if the spatial organization of organelles is important (e.g. if one type of organelle is always located next to another), we do expect to see that reflected in your model.
Your model will need to include:
A picture (or pictures) of your model. The picture(s) must contain your name written on a piece of paper next to your model. If you'd like, include a picture of yourself with your model. (A cell-fie!)
Proper identification of the cell (is it a plant or animal cell)?
For each organelle/structure:
Correct labeling/identification of the structure in your image/video
A description of the organelle's function, which should be in YOUR OWN WORDS, not copied from the book, lectures, or other sites.
A justification for why the object that you chose to represent each organelle is a good analogy for that organelle's function.
Attention to quality and creativity â which will weigh into the overall evaluation.
You can do this in a text document, a powerpoint presentation, or a short video in which you verbally explain your model (be sure to include your name in the video!). Note that you will NOT receive credit for a drawing of a cell or a collage or collection of images found online. Any images you submit must be completely original and made by you. Your name should be in any document and/or picture you submit. Submissions without names will receive reduced credit.
This is NOT intended to be a burdensome exercise, nor should you need to purchase any materials to complete this assignment - I would like for it to be a fun way for you to practice working with the different types of organelles and their structures and functions, and to think creatively about the materials you have on hand.
Related textbook solutions
Related questions
BIO 111: DNA Extraction: Strawberry | DNA Spooling |
Background: Thelong, thick fibers of DNA store the information for the functioningof the chemistry of life. DNA is present in every cell of plantsand animals. The DNA found in strawberry cells can be extractedusing common, everyday materials. We will use an extraction buffercontaining salt, to break up protein chains that bind around thenucleic acids, and dish soap to dissolve the lipid (fat) part ofthe strawberry cell wall and nuclear membrane. This extractionbuffer will help provide us access to the DNA inside the cells.
Pre-labquestions:
What do you think the DNA will look like?
Where is DNA found?
Materials:
Heavy duty ziplocbag 10 mL DNA extraction buffer (soapy, salty water)
1strawberry glass rod, inoculating loop, or Popsicle stick
Cheeseclothfunnel 20 ml ethanol
50mL vial / test tube
Procedure:
1. Place one strawberry in aZiploc bag.
2. Smash/grind up thestrawberry using your fist and fingers for 2 minutes. Carefulnot to break the bag!!
3. Add the provided 10mL ofextraction buffer (salt and soap solution) to the bag.
4. Kneed/mush the strawberryin the bag again for 1 minute.
5. Assemble your filtrationapparatus as shown to the right.
6. Pour the strawberryslurry into the filtration apparatus and let it drip directly intoyour test tube.
7. Slowly pour cold ethanolinto the tube. OBSERVE
8. Dip the loop or glass rodinto the tube where the strawberry extract and ethanol layers comeinto contact with each other. OBSERVE
Conclusions and Analysis
It is important that you understand the steps in the extractionprocedure and why each step was necessary. Each step in theprocedure aided in isolating the DNA from other cellular materials.Match the procedure with its function:
PROCEDURE | FUNCTION |
A. Filter strawberry slurry through cheesecloth | ___ To precipitate DNA from solution |
B. Mush strawberry with salty/soapy solution | ___ Separate components of the cell |
C. Initial smashing and grinding of strawberry | ___ Break open the cells |
D. Addition of ethanol to filtered extract | ___ Break up proteins and dissolvecell membranes |
2. What didthe DNA look like? Relate what you know about the chemicalstructure of DNA to what you observed today.
Explain what happened in the final step when you added ethanolto your strawberry extract.
(Hint: DNA is soluble in water, but not in ethanol)
A person cannot see a single cotton thread 100 feet away, but ifyou wound thousands of threads together into a rope, it would bevisible much further away. Is this statement analogous to our DNAextraction? Explain.
Why is it important for scientists to be able to remove DNA froman organism? List two reasons.
Is there DNA in your food? How do you know?
