Cell Project Due October 25, 2017

We will be wrapping up our cell unit at the end of October. I want to make sure you have time to work on your final cell project as much as possible, so I'm posting the instructions now. The Cell Project is due by Wednesday, October 25.

You and a partner in your same class period will work together to pick ONE of the following 3 options:

1) A creative fiction short story (8 pages total) using cell organelles as characters

- Must select either a plant or animal cell

- Must use ALL organelles inside the cell as characters to write a fictional creative writing piece

- Must design the characters with the same characteristics as their function in the cell. For example, the mitochondria would be a powerful character with a lot of energy and influence

- Must be a well-planned, detailed fictional narrative with few-no spelling and grammatical errors

2) A 3D model of a cell (animal or plant) containing all the cell structures and organelles. These MUST be labeled correctly.

- Must select either a plant or animal cell

- Must contain ALL cell structures and organelles

- Must be at least 12" x 12" in size and made out of a material of your choosing

- Each organelle must be legibly labeled and must look like the cell organelle it represents

- You will need to bring the model to class, so please be sure it can be transported easily

3) A role playing game (RPG), board game, or coded video game using the cell organelles as characters.

- Must select either a plant or animal cell

- Must use ALL cell structures and organelles in the game

- Each character must be designed to reflect the organelle's structure and function within the cell

- Must be a well-planned game that uses the context of the cell as the backbone narrative of the game

- You will need to bring the game to class, so make sure you can either demo it for the class or be able to show us the game playing board, rules, and characters

If you select an ANIMAL CELL, the following organelles are required:

Cell Membrane: The cell membrane is the outermost part of the cell, which encloses all the other cell organelles. This organ controls the influx of nutrients and minerals in and out of the cell.

Cytoplasm: The matrix or gel-like substance/fluid present inside the cell. It is mainly made up of water and protein material. The cytoplasm is the key site wherein all life processes occur.

Nucleus: Cell nucleus is the control center of the cell and thus one of the most important parts. It contains the genetic material, i.e., DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and the chromosomes. The DNA is made up of nucleotides, which eventually help in protein formation by the process of transcription and translation.

Nucleolus: This is a dark stained area inside the nucleus, mainly responsible for the protein formation using RNA (Ribonucleic acid).

Nuclear Membrane: This is the porous, protective sheath that covers the nucleus, which allows influx of substances and is one of the distinctive characteristics of an animal cell.

Nucleoplasm and Chromatin: This dense fluid inside the nucleus contains chromatin fibers, which condenses to form chromosomes and genes, which carry hereditary information. The nucleoplasm forms the nucleus of the animal cell.

Mitochondria: Mitochondria are among the largest cell organelles, also known as the powerhouse of the cell. Oxygen combines with glucose to form energy (ATP), which is required for metabolism and cellular activities in this organelle. It is an independent organelle having its own mitochondrial DNA, RNA, and ribosomes, owing to self replication and duplication.

Ribosomes: Protein synthesis (transcription and translation) takes place in ribosomes. These organelles could be bound to the endoplasmic reticulum or free-floating in the cytoplasm.

Lysosomes: These are membrane-bound sacs containing enzymes needed to break down unnecessary parts of the cell for reuse. It mainly helps phagocytosis and promotes intracellular digestion.

Centrosomes: These small organelles are surrounded by the microtubules or the centrosphere contain the centrioles, which are responsible for the initiation of cell division.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Please include both rough and smooth ER. The RER is mainly responsible for holding onto the proteins formed in the ribosomes, thus being rough in appearance.

Golgi Apparatus: The proteins formed and bounded by the ER need to be processed so as to perform normal functions. Golgi, membranous sacs associated chiefly with the endoplasmic reticulum, do that to release the protein chains.

Vacuoles: Smaller gas and membrane vacuoles filled with fluids and water are present in animal cells. Their main function is storage.

If you select a PLANT CELL, the following organelles are required:

Nucleus: This is the most important of all plant cell parts. This is because the cell nucleus performs all the administrative tasks of the cell. It coordinates all the metabolic functions. Cell growth, cell division, and protein synthesis are some of the tasks that are coordinated by the nucleus. Plastids and Chloroplast: Plastids are those plant cells which carry pigments. So, it goes without saying that chloroplast happens to be the most important of all plastids, because they contain green chlorophyll pigments. Chloroplast plastids photosynthesize sunlight and make food for the plants. Ribosome: These predominantly contain ribonucleic acids (RNA). Their composition contains almost 60% of the ribonucleic acids and 40% of proteins. Ribosomes are those parts that are responsible for the synthesis of proteins in plants. Mitochondria: Complex carbohydrates and sugars are very difficult to breakdown. The mitochondria is responsible for this task. They break complex carbohydrates into very simple form, which is easily used in plants. They are called the powerhouse of the cell. Golgi Body: Also known as golgi complex or golgi apparatus, it is used to transport material inside and outside the cell. Golgi body alters and prepares lipids for their transport outside the cell. Endoplasmic Reticulum (both smooth and rough): Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is a network of convulsed sacs, which are in turn interconnected. The cytoplasm of the plant cell and nucleus are connected by the endoplasmic reticulum. There are two types of ER, which are distinguished according to the presence of ribosome. They can be called smooth or rough. Endoplasmic reticulum is that structure which basically transports glycogens, proteins, and other compounds. Vacuoles: 'Turgor pressure' is that pressure in a plant cell that helps in maintaining its shape. Vacuoles in all of plant cell parts do the job of maintaining this pressure. Basically, there are many vacuoles, but the centrally located one is larger than the others. Peroxisomes: Fatty acids have to be broken down metabolically into simple sugar forms. Peroxisomes contain certain oxidative enzymes that are responsible for breaking such fatty acids into simpler forms. Peroxisomes also help chloroplasts in the process of photosynthesis.

You have the entire month of October, so make sure you use the time wisely!