The Incredible, Edible Cell!

Edible Science- one of my favorite things! Of course, never attempt to eat or taste an actual science experiment- this is a cell model- made of cookies and sweets!

We will be modeling a bacteria cell.. Before we begin, let’s look at the parts of the cell!


Parts of a bacterial cell:

The cell capsule lets some things in and keeps other things out. It includes a cell wall and plasma membrane.  This layer protects the bacterial cell and is often associated with pathogenic bacteria because it serves as a barrier against phagocytosis by white blood cells.

The cytoplasm is the liquid material inside the cell where the functions for cell growth, metabolism, and replication are carried out.

The ribosomes make proteins. Ribosomes give the cytoplasm of bacteria a granular appearance in electron micrographs. Though smaller than the ribosomes in eukaryotic cells, these inclusions have a similar function in translating the genetic message in messenger RNA into the production of proteins.

 

Flagella—The purpose of flagella (sing., flagellum) is to move the cell around.  Flagella are long appendages which rotate by means of a "motor" located just under the cytoplasmic membrane. Bacteria may have one, few, or many flagella in different positions on the cell.

Pili are hair-like structures on the surface of a cell that connect the bacterium to another of its species and build a bridge between the cytoplasm of either cell so that plasmids can be exchanged. 

Nucleoid--DNA in the bacterial cell is generally confined to this central region. Though it isn't bound by a membrane, it is visibly distinct (by transmission microscopy) from the rest of the cell interior.

Plasmids—Along with chromosomal DNA, most bacteria also contain small independent pieces of DNA called plasmids that often encode for traits that are advantageous but not essential to their bacterial host.

Ingredients:

• Sugar Cookies
• Frosting
• Chocolate chips
• Twizzler bites
• M&Ms
• Shredded coconut
• Gummy worms

 
Instructions for building a cell model:

1.     Your sugar cookie is the cell capsule. Lay it flat on the plate.

2.     Cover the top of the cookie with frosting. This is the cytoplasm!

3.     Add a twizzler bite. This is the nucleoid (DNA).

4.     Cover with a few pieces of M&Ms. They are the plasmids.

5.     Attach the flagella by placing a gummy worm on the edge of the cell.

6.     Add pili by sprinkling shredded coconut around the edges of the cookie.

7.     Add the ribosomes or chocolate chips throughout the cell.