As part of the seventh grade science curriculum at her middle school, Jocelyn recently completed a project to create a 3D replica of a plant cell. A big slab of styrofoam, a little fabric, some playdough … and viola!

Aside from using the circular saw to cut the styrofoam and a razor blade to slice the whole for the nucleolus, her parents provided only guidance. Not bad!

Here is her list of cell parts and their function.

• nucleus—controls cell functions
• nucleolus — makes structures that make proteins
• cell membrane — regulates movement of substances into and out of a cell
• ribosome — site of protein production
• rough ER — makes and modifies proteins
• smooth ER — makes lipids and get rid of chemicals and poisons
• golgi body — modifies, and directs movement of molecules made by ER
• mitochondria — releases energy
• cytoplasm — jelly-like substance inside the cell
• central vacuole — stores water and plant substances
• chloroplast — makes food in plant cells
• cell wall — provides shape, protection, and support