Final answer:
The best physical model to represent an animal cell is a bag full of Jell-O, demonstrating the flexible plasma membrane enclosing the cytoplasm with various organelles. This model shows both the cell's structure and the function of its components.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seeks to identify the best physical model to represent an animal cell, which is a flexible structure without a rigid cell wall as seen in plant cells. A good model for an animal cell would be a bag full of Jell-O, as described in the reference material. This comparison effectively illustrates the plasma membrane of the cell, which is flexible and encloses the cytoplasm containing various organelles like the nucleus, mitochondria, and ribosomes. The Jell-O within the bag can represent the cytosol—the gel-like substance that occupies the space between the organelles within the plasma membrane. The organelles can be viewed as mixed fruit within the Jell-O, each representing a different structure with its unique function – such as energy production by mitochondria or protein synthesis by ribosomes. These components collectively work together, just like organs in a body, to keep the cell alive and functioning.