Cellular Structure Project:
Choice 1: SKIT
(Group project)
Design a skit/short play depicting what each part of a cell does.
You may choose between a plant or an animal cell.
The organelles or “characters” of your skit must include the following cellular organelles:
Animal Cell: Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Nucleus, Mitochondria, Endoplasmic reticulum (you may also
choose to include the nuclear membrane, Golgi bodies, nucleolus, and chromosomes).
Plant Cell: Cell wall, Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Nucleus, Chloroplasts, Vacuole, Endoplasmic reticulum,
Mitochondria (you may also choose to include the nuclear membrane, Golgi bodies, nucleolus, and
chromosomes).
Creativity is recommended, but the skit/short play should be designed so that your audience
understands what each organelle’s function is within the cell. You may work in a group of up to 5
people. The skit must have written lines and then be performed to the class. Each group member must
contribute to the project.
Choice 2: Wanted Poster
(One Person)
Design a “wanted” poster and storyline.
You may choose between a plant or an animal cell.
Step 1: Draw a picture of the cell that is “wanted” and include detailed pictures of the organelles inside
the cell. You must include the following organelles in your picture:
Animal Cell: Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Nucleus, Mitochondria, Endoplasmic reticulum (you may also
choose to include the nuclear membrane, Golgi bodies, nucleolus, and chromosomes).
Plant Cell: Cell wall, Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Nucleus, Chloroplasts, Vacuole, Endoplasmic reticulum,
Mitochondria (you may also choose to include the nuclear membrane, Golgi bodies, nucleolus, and
chromosomes).
Step 2: Write a short story to accompany your wanted poster that explains how the cell
“malfunctioned,” or didn’t work properly (in other words, the reason your cell is “wanted”). Your story
must detail one of the organelles within the cell and explain what it did incorrectly, as well as what it
should have done to function correctly.
Choice 3: Sports Reporter
(Individual or pair)
Design a newspaper article or television newscast.
You may choose between a plant or an animal cell.
As a sports reporter you are to design a newspaper article or television script. Using either the cell as a
team or as breaking news, the sports team you are reporting on must include the following organelles:
Animal Cell: Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Nucleus, Mitochondria, Endoplasmic reticulum (you may also
choose to include the nuclear membrane, Golgi bodies, nucleolus, and chromosomes).
Plant Cell: Cell wall, Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Nucleus, Chloroplasts, Vacuole, Endoplasmic reticulum,
Mitochondria (you may also choose to include the nuclear membrane, Golgi bodies, nucleolus, and
chromosomes).
Each organelle within the cell must be a member of the “sports team” you are reporting on. The article
or script you create should describe the function of each organelle. You may do this by describing a
great play one of the organelles completed while functioning on the “sports team,” or by giving a life
history of each member of the team, or by any another story line you come up with.
Choice 4: 3D Model
(individual project)
Design a 3D model of a plant or an animal cell.
The model must include the following organelles:
Animal Cell: Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Nucleus, Mitochondria, Endoplasmic reticulum (you may also
choose to include the nuclear membrane, Golgi bodies, nucleolus, and chromosomes).
Plant Cell: Cell wall, Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Nucleus, Chloroplasts, Vacuole, Endoplasmic reticulum,
Mitochondria (you may also choose to include the nuclear membrane, Golgi bodies, nucleolus, and
chromosomes).
You may choose the materials for the model. Some suggestions are: Cardboard box and construction
paper, Jell-O with fruit fillings, zip-lock baggy with syrup and assorted foods added, or play-dough.
Your 3D model must also include a cell model fact sheet detailing:
 what the function of each organelle is
 if the structure is found in only in plant cells, animal cells, or both
 what material you used to represent that structure
 why you chose that material
Choice 5: Word find in the shape of a cell
(Individual project)
Design and create a word find using the organelle names.
You may choose between a plant or an animal cell.
You will use the organelle names for either a plant or an animal cell. You must include the following
organelles in your word find:
Animal Cell: Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Nucleus, Mitochondria, Endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear
membrane, Golgi bodies, nucleolus, and chromosomes.
Plant Cell: Cell wall, Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Nucleus, Chloroplasts, Vacuole, Endoplasmic reticulum,
Mitochondria, nuclear membrane, Golgi bodies, nucleolus, and chromosomes.
Step 1: Research a cell shape or design your own. Trace the outline on 8 ½ X 11 paper.
Step 2: Use grid paper inside the outline to “hide” the words.
Step 3: Use the functions of each organelle as the clues.