The document provides instructions for a cell membrane experiment using candy items like Twizzlers, M&Ms, and toothpicks. The experiment is designed to model the components of the cell membrane, including receptor molecules, carbohydrate chains, protein channels and pumps. Students place candy items in a bundle of toothpicks to represent molecules passing through or not passing through the cell membrane. The experiment aims to demonstrate the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane.

1. REVEALED:
Discover the human Volume II September
body: inside and out 17, 2012
Organic The
Molecules: Inorganic
the molecules Human Molecules: no
Body
carbon, no
of life
problem
Organell Cell
Membrane:
es: The how to get
it,
past it, with
building music!
b l o c ks o f

2. CELL MEMBRANE EXPERIMENT
• 3 Different colored Twizzlers
• 1 Sour Punch Straw
• 1 Rubber Band
• 50 toothpicks (attach one skittle to each end)
• 1 Large M&M (peanut or pretzel)
• 1 regular M & M
• Scissors
1. Gather the toothpicks into a bundle and place the rubber
band around the middle to keep them in a bundle.
2.Place a receptor molecule into the cell membrane.
• a. Take one of the twizzlers and place it through the bundle
• b.Bend one end of it into a circular shape. This shape represents how signal molecules bind to
specific molecules. Only a circular-shaped molecule can bind with this receptor.
3.Use the second twizzler as a carbohydrate chain. Place it in the bundle, just as in step 2. Don’t bend
this twizzler.
4.Cut your sour punch straw in half. Place each half into different locations in the bundle. These
represent the protein channels and pumps.
5.Holding the bundle vertically, place the large M&M on top of the bundle. Does it pass between the
toothpicks? Why or why not?
6.Place the large M&M on top of the sour punch straw. Does it pass through the straw? Why or why
not?
7.Still holding the bundle vertically, place the regular M&M on top of the bundle. Does it pass between
the bundle? Why or why not?
8.Place the regular M&M on top of the straw. Does it pass through the straw? Why or why not?
9.Place your mouth on the end of the bundle and blow. Can you feel air on the other side of the bundle?
Why or why not?
10.Explain how the bundle and straws actually represent the components of the a real cell membrane.
11.Roll the bundle between your hands. Do the individual toothpicks move? Without pulling the straw
out can you move it between the toothpicks? How does this represent the fluid mosaic model?
When you are done experimenting, enjoy your candy! ☺

3. Inorganic Molecules
Word Search Match the word with
the description then
find the word in the
word search
c q a v e e m j l r s n t n b
r o t o s d x g v c f m o q u
k e h m a i p o l a r i t y f
k x t e b x p k q n t d d k f
t c u a s o o j n a i e y x e
x b i a w i z s z c w o b j r
q f s h i d o i a y x g q n s
z r c l o n r n d y p r d w z
u z d e r o m m g z w c g z e
m j y p p b t e s t l a s j v
k a q a c r n q i x c r q b r
c e v d h a w d p d u h w p z
e z z x n c u j m q b z m i c
n h e a t c c l x w f y f y m
y v g b x c i m b u c y n d c
Co2
a compound that reacts with an acid to form a salt
acid raises the ph. Level
base Helps the body by allowing many kinds of molecules
to dissolve in the cells allowing many substances to
carbondioxide be transported
cohesion Helps the body by maintaining a constant temperature
heat Evaporation of water in perspiration cools the body
oxygen Water works as a lubricant to protect against damage
polarity Bodies mainly made of, “cradle of life”
salts O2
vaporization a compound capable of neutralizing alkalis lowers
the ph. Balance
water Formed by an acid and a base

4. Organic Molecules
• INRTO - Most living things are organic molecules, meaning that they
contain carbon. Most organic molecules are made of subunits called
monomers which together create a polymer. There are four major
organic molecules. Match their name to their definition below…
Substance composed principally of
carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen;
Carbohydrates contains a lower ratio of oxygen to
carbon and is less polar than
carbohydrates; generally soluble in
nonpolar solvents
Lipids Macromolecule consisting of long
sequences of amino acids linked
together by peptide bonds.
Proteins Polymer of nucleotides, consisting of
DNA and RNA; forms a family of
substances that comprise the genetic
material of cells and control protein
synthesis.
Nucleic Acids Monosaccharide [simple sugar] or
the organic molecules composed of
monosaccharide’s bound together by
chemical bonds.
Works Cited - Mcgraw-Hill, .Anatomy and Physiology.Essential Study Partner version 2.0. The McGraw-Hill Companies,
2001. Print. <http://moodle.nisdtx.org/mod/lesson/view.php?id=154590>.

5. THE ORGANELLES
“Little Caves” or Caveolae, (1) pg79Golgi Apparatus, (1) pg 80
they are tiny indentations of the plasma membrane a membranous organelle consisting of tiny sacs
Lysosomes, (1) pg 81 Peroxisomes, (1) pg 81
they are vessels that have pinched off from detoxify harmful substances that may enter
thegolgi apparatuscells
©5 ©8
Mitochondria
“Powerhouse” of cell
(1) Pg 82
©5
Nucleus (1) pg 82
one of the largest cell structures that occupies
the central portion of the cell
©5

6. Cytoplasm (5)
Allows different parts of the cell to
float around
©5
Endoplasmic Reticulum (5)
stores ions, steroids, and other large
molecules
©5
BASIC CELL
STRUCTURE
©5