How to Make a Plant Cell Model

In order to know how to make a plant cell model, you will firstly need to understand purpose and basic functions of the plant cell. All the parts of the plant cell are interrelated and crucial for carrying out the biochemical processes that assist in the healthy growth of plants. The plant cell consists of the cell wall and cell membrane that preserve all the cells within it.

Cell Wall
The cell wall as the name suggests is a wall that covers the cell membrane and holds all the other components of the cell within its boundaries, such as the ribosomes, nucleus, the nuclear membrane, the vacuoles, the cytoplasm and the mitochondria.

Chloroplast
The chloroplast is the food source of the plant as it contains chlorophyll, the green pigment that causes photosynthesis by trapping the sunlight and energy. Before you start, do some plant cell research by viewing our article on labeled cell diagram and functions from here, so as to make yourself familiar with the structure and placement of the plant cell parts.

How to Make Edible Plant Cell Model
This is one of the most interesting ways to make a science projects by making a plant cell model that you can eat! If you are a parent or teacher eager to make children learn and enjoy biology then this is surely the right way forward. Kids love practical learning classes, where they can see and visualize what they are being taught. Here are the steps you need to follow while making this model. We also mention the special ingredients you'll need to make your edible plant cell treat.

Parts of the Plant Cell	How to Make Them
The Plant Cell	Take the help of a friend or your parents for baking a cake. It could be any cake as long as you enjoy its taste. Once the cake is baked, let it cool off.
Cell Wall	Now place some sweetened toasts or wafers on the cake.
Cell Membrane	Now apply some thick cream over the wafers on the cake and spread it evenly. Spread in such a way that a boundary of the wafers is still clearly visible. Instead of cream you may use custard pudding or vanilla pudding as well. You can even bake a cheesecake so that the cream is not required.
Cytoplasm	Once it has settled down, take some MNM candies (Yellow) and spread them around the wafers and within the boundaries.
Chloroplast	Now add green jelly beans all over the cytoplasm.
Vacuoles	Marshmallows are the best for showing vacuoles as they are supposed to be fluffy. Sprinkle them among the cytoplasm.
Nucleus	Take a slice of fresh bread and apply any jam over it. Now, slowly roll the slice and stick it into the cream.
Mitochondria	Spread some chocolate chip or chocolate breakfast cereals around the cell wall as they represent the Mitochondria, which releases energy.
Toothpicks and Name Flags	Your edible plant cell is almost done, all you need to do now is mark the cell parts with toothpicks. Make small flags and write the names of the plant cell structure and parts and then stick them to the toothpick head.

Making a Plant Cell Using a Shoe Box
If you are wondering, this model for school as a part of your science fair project, then don't you worry. You can make a much simpler plant cell model by taking simple household items to represent the different plant cell parts. These are much easier to make, all you need is a cardboard box. Here is what you will need to do:

Parts of the Plant Cell	How to Make Them
The Plant Cell	Take a shoe box and color it green from outside.
Cell Wall	Take some dark green clay and make into a longish rope, use this to make the cell wall inside the box around the boundaries of the base.
Cell Membrane	Fill up the box with small cotton balls but leave the boundaries clearly visible.
Cytoplasm	Take yellow clay and make tiny balls with it, spread them across the cotton.
Chloroplast	Take light green clay and spread the balls on the cotton as well.
Vacuoles	Take some more cotton small longish rolls out of it and color them pink by using spray paints or water brush techniques.
Nucleus	Take some more cotton and make a long fat roll and place it in the center of the box. Color this blue.
Mitochondria	Color the outside surfaces of the box with brown paint. Your shoe box plant cell model is ready!

Learning to make plant cell models is the best way to learn and enjoy biology as well as to perform well in school science fair projects. Hopefully, the aforementioned methods will assist you when it's time for you to make one for your class assignment. As for the teachers, they may use these to show the class how the plant structure looks and how to go about making them at home.