Animal Cell and its structure Simulation Playbook - XReadyLab.com | Best VR education | Free 3D models | Science | Tools for teachers

Ensure all VR headsets are charged and properly calibrated
Review safety guidelines for VR equipment use
Show students the essential VR gestures and controls
Plan your time: allocate 20 minutes for interaction and 10–15 minutes for reflection

Designate student helpers to assist their peers
Circulate throughout the classroom to support struggling students
Guide students to observe and document cellular changes
Prompt students to share their observations verbally

For classes with limited devices, form triads: one in VR, two observing/discussing
Rotate roles every 5–7 minutes
Provide printed diagrams of cellular structures for note-taking during observation

Preload simulation and test each headset prior to class
Keep a backup tablet with 2D version of the lab in case of headset malfunction
Maintain clear VR boundaries and warn students about physical obstacles

Before simulation:

Ask: “What do you think a cell needs to function?”
Show images of plant, fungal, and animal cells for comparison.

During simulation:

Pause after each action and ask students:
“What did this organelle do?”
“What changed?”

After simulation:

Have students complete a Venn diagram: plant vs animal vs fungal
Group task: write a story from the POV of a centrosome

Simulation title: Animal Cell VR Simulation

Description: The student enters an animal cell to restore its function by interacting with damaged organelles. They explore the internal environment and witness how each organelle contributes to cell life.

Simulation type: VR

Subject and age: Biology, Grades 6–8

Key topics:

Animal cell structure
Organelle functions
Differences between cells
Cell cycle and energy flow

Time	Simulation stage	What happens before the action?	What should be done?	What happens after the action?
00:00	Enter simulation	The student sees a laboratory with a table. On the table is a microscope and a model of a lancet as a sample.	The student needs to press the trigger on the microscope.	The student moves inside an animal cell.
00:31	Overview of organelles and instruction	The student sees the entire cell with all its organelles. An instruction panel appears with guidance for the tasks ahead.	The student needs to click on the cross to close the information panel.	The panel closes and the student can begin working inside the cell.
00:52	Membrane	One of the membrane channels is clogged with waste — four red hemispheres block the passage.	The student must press the trigger on the red spheres to clear the membrane channel.	After cleansing the channels, the four spheres disappear.
01:23	Nucleus	Chromatin temporarily disappears, and the nucleolus turns red.	The student needs to press the trigger on the nuclear envelope.	Chromatin returns and the nucleolus returns to its lilac color.
01:57	Centriole (Centrosome)	One of the centrioles in the centrosome pair is missing.	The student needs to press the trigger at the centriole location.	The missing centriole reappears in the centrosome.
02:40	Mitochondria	One of the mitochondria has a faded, gray inner membrane.	The student needs to press the trigger on the damaged mitochondrion.	The mitochondrion returns to its original dark brown color.
03:13	Rough ER	Ribosomes are missing from the rough ER, making it look like smooth ER.	The student needs to press the trigger on the rough ER.	Ribosomes reappear on the surface of the rough ER.
03:51	Golgi apparatus	The Golgi animation has stopped. Yellow balls (packaged proteins and lysosomes) are no longer produced.	The student needs to press the trigger on the Golgi apparatus.	Animation resumes and yellow particles fly out, representing packaged proteins.
04:31	Lysosome	One of the lysosomes has turned red.	The student needs to press the trigger on the damaged lysosome.	The lysosome returns to its original color.
05:12	Completion and exit	The student returns to the laboratory starting area.	No additional actions are required.	The student is informed that the lab is complete.

Membrane (cell membrane) — a thin semi-permeable shell surrounding the cell and separating its internal contents from the external environment. It controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell, provides protection, and participates in cellular communication and signal transmission.
Nucleus — the control center of the cell that transmits DNA instructions for protein synthesis and cellular activities. It contains chromosomes made of DNA and proteins, regulates gene expression, and ensures that genetic information is properly maintained and passed to daughter cells during cell division.
Cytoplasm — the gel-like substance inside the cell that surrounds all organelles, providing the essential environment for biochemical processes and reactions. It contains water, proteins, carbohydrates, and other molecules needed for metabolism and supports transport through cytoplasmic streaming.
Mitochondria — the powerhouse organelles responsible for cellular respiration and ATP synthesis. They supply energy for all vital processes and are present in both plant and animal cells.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) — a system of interconnected membrane channels involved in the synthesis, folding, modification, and transport of proteins and lipids. Includes rough ER (with ribosomes) and smooth ER (without ribosomes).
Golgi apparatus — a complex of flattened membrane sacs that receives, modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids from the ER for delivery to their final destinations inside or outside the cell.
Lysosomes — membrane-bound organelles containing digestive enzymes used to break down waste materials, damaged organelles, and foreign particles through autophagy and heterophagy.
Centrosome (Centrioles) — a pair of perpendicular centrioles that organize the microtubule network essential for cell division. They form the spindle fibers that move chromosomes during mitosis.

What was the most critical organelle to repair and why?
How did the cell “come alive” as you restored each part?
What role do centrioles play during cell division?
Which organelle reminded you of a logistics center?
How does an animal cell differ from a plant or fungal cell?

What organelles are missing in animal cells compared to plant cells?
How do mitochondria produce energy, and why is it important?
Describe the role of the rough ER and how it interacts with the Golgi.
What is the function of lysosomes in waste processing?
Explain the structure and role of the centrosome.

Video walkthrough
QR code to simulation
Organelle card sort
Assessment worksheet
Reflection journal prompt
Google Form quiz