B I O L O G Y L I T E R A T U R E
S O P H I E A D E L A I D E
T H E C E L L A S A F A C T O R Y
The cell is the smallest structural unit of a living organism. It works in very complex ways, with many intricate details and parts that help that process. In order to understand this process, we can imagine the cell as something that we all see in our daily life; like a factory.
#1 THE NUCLEUS
The nucleus is like the factory manager or the production department because it controls what the factory produces, as well as the secrets for how to make those specific products.
#2 THE NUCLEAR MEMBRANE
The nuclear membrane is like the manager’s office because it is a place for the manager to stay so that they can work without being disturbed by other departments, just like how the nuclear membrane keeps the nucleus safe, so that it is not disturbed by the work of other organelles.
#3 THE DNA
The DNA is like the secret formula of the factory. Just like how the DNA is kept by the nucleus, the secret formula is kept and guarded by the manager because it contains specific step and instructions on how to make the specific product.
#4 THE RIBOSOMES
The ribosomes are like the workers because their job is to take instructions from the secret formula, kept by the manager and make products that will them be sent out and used by other departments.
#5 THE ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
The ER is like the working stations of the workers because it is where the workers stay to do their work and make their products, just like how the ribosomes stay to make the protein.
#6 PROTEIN
Proteins are like the products that are made in the factory because they are the end result of all the work that goes on in the factory. Just like how the products are put together by the workers in the factory, proteins are made by ribosomes.
#7 GOLGI APPARATUS
The Golgi Apparatus is like the finishing and packaging department because it is responsible to preparing the products to be shipped away. It is also responsible to transporting the products and materials to certain parts of the factory that needs it.
#8 ORGANS AND ORGANELLES
They are like the customers and consumers because they demand the products from the factory in order for them to carry out their own duties and responsibilities, just like how organs and organelles demand protein from the cell so that they can fulfil their own tasks and unique roles in the body. Just like how each customer has different wants and taste in the product, each organ or organelle needs different kinds of protein in order for them to function, and the cell must accommodate those specific needs.
#9 THE VACUOLES
The vacuole is like the storage department of the factory because its job is to store either materials, or finished products before it is shipped away or transported and used by another department
#10 THE LYSOSOMES
Lysosomes are like the recycling department of the factory because it processes the waste that the factory creates so that it can be discharged from the factory
#11 CYTOPLASM
The cytoplasm is like the hallway and rooms of the factory. It is the place where each department can work in their own space and complete their job. The hallways are the place where products and workers can travel to that they can transport goods to other parts of the factory.
#12 CHLOROPLAST
The chloroplast is like the solar panels of the factory. Because the factory needs energy in order to function, the solar panel’s job is to absorb sunlight so that it can be turned into electricity. Just like how the chloroplast lets the plant absorb sunlight so that it can be turned into food for the plant.
#13 MITOCHONDRIA
The mitochondria is like the power plant or the energy source of the factory because its job is to provide energy for the factory by taking one type of energy, like the solar energy from the solar panels and turn it into another type of energy, like electricity.
#14 CELL MEMBRANE
Th cell membrane is like the shipping and receiving department because they regulate what enters and leaves the factory. Just like the cell membrane, the shipping and receiving department lets materials go in, and the product and waste go out.
#15 CELL WALL
The cell wall is like the wall of the factory. It separates things inside the factory, and outside the factory so that the workers inside the factory can work efficiently, just like the workers in the factory.
#16 CYTOSKELETON
The cytoskeleton is like the foundation for the building because its job is to maintain the structure of the building so that it does not loose its shape and collapse. Just like the cytoskeletons job is to keep plant cells rigid so that it can fit properly to form the tissue, the foundation gives the building shape so that it can fit easily within the land and amongst other buildings.