Leaves that are larger than life

Before we started building our model, we looked at pictures of the surface of leaves under microscopes. This specific image interested us because it is fascinating how from a distance, the surface of a leaf is smooth. However, when you zoom in you see that the surface is actually very jagged. Our discovery showed us how things can be hidden behind visible signals. Visible signals are the living organism because you see live aspects such as movement. Behind the visible signals of the living organism we can see the cellular makeup and observe the many components that come together to form the organism and allow it to function.

                                    

During this lab our goal was to avoid making straight lines because we wanted our model to be unpredictable. Similarly, real cells do not have straight lines, which also follows the surface of a leaf. Therefore, when we were building our model we decided to build the components separately because we figured working independently would be the best way to avoid making patterns since everyone thinks differently. In the end our model had parts that reflected everyone’s own interpretation of the jagged surface of leaves.

                      

Although science textbooks constantly depict pictures of linear plant cell models, in reality they are much more flexible and uneven. The scientific community believes that it is easier for children to learn plant cell models as linear. As a result, there is a foundation of slightly incorrect science in our young lives. Exposing our minds to the ambiguity of plant cell models, makes the invisible visible. Before the truth of plant cell models was invisible, but now we are enlightened with all the possibilities of cellular structure.