Written by A.J.
As a biology enthusiast, I've noticed that an animal cell can be compared to an elementary school! Here's my fun little analogy. I hope you enjoy!
Firstly, what are the parts of an animal cell, and what exactly do they do?
The cell membrane separates the cell from the environment and controls what comes in and out of the cell.
Cytoplasm constantly moves around the cell and supports the organelles. It is everywhere inside of a cell.
A nucleus acts like the ‘brain’ of the cell. It directs all of the cell’s activity.
Chromatin pass traits onto new cells, an ‘information’ center (as it contains DNA of the cell).
The endoplasmic reticulum, or ER for short, carry materials to different parts of the cell.
Vacuoles are storage areas for cells. They store important materials such as food, that is needed by the cell.
Mitochondria are the ‘powerhouses’ of the cell (I bet you remembered that one from grade school!). They convert the energy in food molecules to energy the cell is able to use so the cell can function.
Golgi bodies receive materials that are newly formed materials (from the ER), package them, and distribute them to different parts of the cell.
Lysosomes clean up, and break down certain materials in the cell.
Ribosomes produce proteins for the cell.
Now, for the analogies!
School doors are like the cell membrane because it separates the school from the outdoors, just as the cell membrane separates the cell from its environment. Also, school doors control what come in and out of the building, just as the cell membrane controls what comes in and out of the cell.
The air inside the school is just like the cytoplasm in the cell because it is omnipresent, just as cytoplasm is everywhere inside of a cell.
The main office is like the nucleus of the cell because this is where announcements are made, attendance of the entire school is checked, students wait to talk to the principal, and where the ladies at the desk make decisions just as the nucleus gives information to direct the cell.
The library is like chromatin because it is where information is kept, just as chromatin holds the information of the cell, or its DNA.
A messenger is like the endoplasmic reticulum because he/she goes around the school to ask for supplies, give supplies, or to deliver information, just as the endoplasmic reticulum transports materials around the cell.
The janitor’s closet is like a cell’s vacuole because it stores supplies, just as the vacuole stores materials.
Cafeteria food is like mitochondria, because it ‘creates’ energy (for kids), just as mitochondria create energy for the cell to use.
The ‘Birthday Girl’ is like a golgi body, because she wraps cupcakes and cookies in napkins, or wraps mini toys and candies in goody bags, just as a golgi body wraps and distributes materials to other parts of the cell.
A janitor is like the lysosome of a cell, because he cleans up the school, just as a lysosome cleans up the cell.
Art class students are like ribosomes, because the students make many crafts and cards for their teachers and friends at school, just as ribosomes make proteins for the cell.
Hopefully you enjoyed my fun little analogy! Though it may be a bit odd, it's a great way to remember the parts of an animal cell and what they do!
A.J. is a writer who loves to combine science and unique perspectives in her work! She is from Kansas and just turned 15.
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