Giant Organelle Project
Method
You and your partner will create a model of an organelle to scale. Your design must
be complete and accurate. You will also plan a 5-minute lesson/discussion on your
organelle. Presentations will occur INSIDE the giant cell. You must do the research
on your own. Your presentations will be given on the day the organelle model is due
(November 4A day, 5B day).
Creating the Organelle
The plant cell is a 3 m square. You have been provided with a chart of actual
organelle sizes. You must, using ratios, calculate the size of your giant organelle so
that it is proportionately correct for the giant cell. Remember that um stands for
“micrometer”. There are 1000 um in 1 mm.
You also need to research the function of your organelle in order to build it so that it
can carry out its function in the giant cell. Then you will build your organelle. You
will prepare a brief 5 minute lesson for the class. Lessons will include a discussion
question to share with the class. Your organelle will be judged according to the
accuracy of its size, the correctness of its details, your explanation of its function and
your creativity.
Architectural design plan:
1. Name of team: ______________________________________________
2. Name of organelle: ________________________________________
3. Equation for determining the dimensions of the giant organelle:
4. List of materials needed to construct the organelle:
Material
Use
5. Plan for division of labor among construction team:
Worksheet
A. How Big do I Need to Make my 3D model?
1. What is the magnification of our cell model?
A. What is the actual dimension of a plant cell (see table below).
B. How big is the magnified plant cell model? (300 cm square)
2. What are the ACTUAL dimensions of your organelle inside of an ACTUAL
cell?
_____________Actual dimension
_____________Magnified dimension (your model)
B. What information do I need to include in my
presentation?
3. Details. What are the parts of your organelle? What is the function of your
organelle?
4. Interesting aspects of your organelle. What do YOU find interesting? What
happens in a cell if your organelle is defective?
5. Provide a discussion question for the class to consider.
Cell or Organelle
Average plant cell
nucleus
nucleolus
mitochondrion
chloroplast
ribosome
Endoplasmic reticulum
Golgi apparatus
Vacuole (central)
microtubules
microfilaments
lysosomes
Plasma membrane
Size in um
(1 mm = 1000 um)
30 um
7.5-10 um
2.5 um
1 um wide x 3-10 um long
2 um x 5 um
0.025 um
0.5 um thick; can occupy 10% of
the cell; 2um x up to 6um
2 um x 20 um (membranes have
the thickness of the ER)
50-80% of the total cell volume
0.02 um diameter
0.007 um diameter
0.2-2 um
0.009 um thick
See the following as an excellent reference:
http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/insidethecell/chapter1.html#11
These numbers are all approximate. The scale is most important. As long as you
can justify your numbers (mathematically and with evidence/sources) and your
scale makes sense, you will be successful.
Rubric for Evaluation
Points
30
Criteria
Detailaccuracy of
the model
Unacceptable
There is no
model or the
structural
details are
completely
wrong
Passing
A few of the
structural
details are
represented
accurately
Acceptable
Most of the
structural
details are
represented;
some of
them
accurately
Explanation
of structure
is good; very
little
reference to
the model
Competent
All of the
relevant
structural
details are
represented;
most are
accurate
Explanation
of the
structure is
good; there
is reference
to the model
15
Quality of
presentation
&
explanation
Explanation
of structure
is
incomplete;
very little
reference to
model
15
Quality of
presentation
Explanation
of the
structure is
inaccurate
and
incomplete;
no reference
to model
made
Presentation
is unclear
and does not
cover
requested
information
Presentation
does not
cover all of
the material
Presentation
covers all
relevant
material;
much of it is
read
Presentation
covers all
relevant
material;
very little is
read
20
Individual
participation
Only 1
person in the
group does
the
presentation;
parts may
not be
connected
One person
does more
than 70% of
the
presentation
and parts
are
presented
separately
Some
evidence of
attempt to
be creative
but is not
well
executed
One person
does 6070% of the
presentation
and parts
are
presented
separately
One one of
the
following is
present:
Equal
participation
or
connected
parts
There are
several
creative
details in the
model and
report
10
creativity
No evidence
of creativity
A few
creative
details in
the model or
report
Excellent
The
structural
details are
well
represented
and very
accurate
Explanation
of the
structure
and
reference to
the model
are accurate
integrated
and clear
Presentation
covers all
relevant
material and
is presented
in a lively
and
interesting
fashion
Both people
participate
equally;
parts are
well
connected
The entire
project
shows
evidence of
creative
thinking
both
creation of
the model
and
presentation