Name:_______________________

Class Color: ____________

Livin the Cell Life

Standard MS-LS1-2

As we learned cells are the building blocks of life. We also learned that there are many small parts of
the cell called organelles that each have a very specific job to do that allows the cell to build and transport
proteins.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live a day in the life of an organelle? If so today is your
lucky day! Today you will take a role of an organelle and as a cell you will work together to make your very

own protein.
Pre Lab Question
Complete the table by filling it either the name of the organelle or by describe an organelle function.

Organelle Function

DNA

Controls all cell activities

Mitochondria

removes waste products from the cell

creates energy for the cell.

Endoplasmic Recticulum (ER)

transports newly made proteins out of the cell

Cell Membrane

makes proteins

Cytoplasm
 Name:_______________________
Class Color: ____________

PROCEDURE
1. You will be split up into groups of 8.
Each group will include a nucleus, a endoplasmic reticulum, cytoplasm, a Golgi apparatus, a
mitochondria, a lysosome, and (2) ribosomes
2. Choose a role card, to determine which organelles job you will be responsible for.
3. You may be given a sheet depending on which role you randomly picked.
4. Announce your role to the group before doing your responsibility.

5. Follow the jobs listed below in order; check them off as you complete the organelles tasks.
1. ______ MITOCHONDRIA is the timekeeper. (They mitochondria may cell phone (get it) only as a
timer. The cell only has enough energy to last 15 minutes to complete all of its jobs. If the cell goes
over the time it will run out of energy and will be frozen until more ATP energy is made.
2. ______ CYTOPLASM will go to the front of the class and collect the materials listed below. Once
collected return them to your cell (group).
Envelope.
Tin Foil
3. ______ RIBOSOMES will pour out the contents of their envelope onto the desk (make sure you keep
it all on the desk).
You will soon receive instructions from the Nucleus on how to build your protein
4. ______ NUCLEUS will receive instructions (DNA) on how to build a particular Lego protein.
The nucleus must communicate to the 2 ribosomes on how to build their proteins using only their
words.
The nucleus cannot draw or show the ribosomes the instructions.
5. ______ ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM needs to check the assembled protein and make sure it follows
the DNAs instructions.
The Endoplasmic reticulum will check the two new proteins and if it matches the instructions it will
checks the box found on the DNA instructions.
6. ______ GOLGI APPARATUS will wrap the newly made (and checked) protein in tin foil (its vesicle)
and transport it outside of the cell (put it back onto the front table.)
7. ______ LYSOSOME will clean up all the waste (paper pieces) from the protein building process and
put them back in the envelope

6. Once the protein is made and transported, and the cell is cleaned up you may move on the the post-lab
portion and begin your homework.
 Name:_______________________
Class Color: ____________

POST LAB QUESTIONS

______ 1.Which cellular organelle uses oxygen and glucose to provide ENERGY to the cell?
a. Mitochondria
b. Nucleus
c. Ribosome
d. Vacuole

True or False
INSTRUCTIONS: If your response is false, write the correction in the box provided below

_____ The vesicle is used by the endoplasmic reticulum to transport proteins out of the cell.

_____ The lysosomes dispose of waste that is left in the cell after the protein making process
 Name:_______________________
Class Color: ____________
_____ The DNA is found in the mitochondria and contains the instructions of the way a protein is to be made.

______ The cell membrane covers the cell and controls what is allowed to enter and what is able to leave.

______ The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is able to make and modify proteins because it has ribosomes

attached to it.

_____ The golgi apparatus is used to transport proteins outside of the cell after they are made.