ORGANELLE FUNCTIONS—JOB DESCRIPTION and HELP WANTED ADVERTISEMENT
 Conduct web research to determine the function of cellular components.
 Write "job descriptions" for each of the organelles found in a plant or an animal cell.
What you will do
 Conduct web research to determine the function of cell organelles
 Review examples of job descriptions
 Demonstrate understanding of organelle function
What you will need
Organelle Functions Handout (below)
Web Sites:
Organelle functions:
MIT's Biology Hypertextbook (Select Cell Biology)
Cells Alive!
Virtual Cell
Sample job descriptions:
Writing Effective Job Descriptions
CareerZone
The steps to follow
1. Research either plant or animal cells.
2. Complete the research and written assignment, as outlined on the Organelle Functions Handout
(below).
3. If you need additional examples of written job descriptions, a web search for "job description
format," using a search engine such as Google or Ask.com, yields numerous sites. As job
description postings can be rather transient, specific examples are not listed here.
4. Submit your completed job descriptions to your teacher for assessment.
5. Be prepared to discuss the role of each organelle in cellular function, the differences between
the structures of plant and animal cells, and the variations in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Cell Parts List
Cell membrane
Cell wall
Chlorophyll
Chloroplasts
Chromosomes
Chromatin
Endoplasmic reticulum
Golgi bodies
Vacuole
Lysosomes
Microtubule
Mitochondria
Nuclear membrane
Nucleolus
Nucleus
Plastid
Ribosomes
Organelle Functions Handout
In many ways, a cell is like a factory or manufacturing plant. The employees of a factory work to create
specific products and maintain the factory's viability, just as the organelles of a cell work to meet its
varied needs. Biochemical, growth, and reproductive functions must be fulfilled if the cells, and the
organism as a whole, are to survive.
In the workplace, the responsibilities and roles of each employee are specified in a formal document,
called a job description.
In this project, you will use the information that you collect to write job descriptions regarding the
functions of a cell's organelles as well as a help wanted advertisement.
1. Using the provided web sites, identify and determine the functions of the organelles that are
found in the cell type you are researching. Be sure to collect all of the information needed to
write a job description for the organelle, as outlined in the next step.
2. Write a job description for each organelle, using the following format:
Name of Company:
Choose a name that reflects the functions of cells. Be creative!
Job Title:
Name of the organelle and/or a title that reflects its role
Department:
What role does the organelle act to fulfill?
Division:
What role does the department, as a whole, act to fulfill?
Scope:
An overview of the job responsibilities
Major Responsibilities:
Key tasks to be performed
Position in Organization:
To whom does the organelle report? Who reports to, and is
supervised by, the organelle?
Relationships:
internal
Are there other organelles, within the cell, to which this one
relates?
external
Are there other cells, specific tissues, organs, etc., with which
this organelle interacts?
Expected Outcomes:
What are the main products that this organelle makes and/or
what functions does it serve?
Organelle Functions Handout Continued…
3.
After you have completed the “job description” for your organelle, you will need to create a
Help Wanted Ad. Here is a sample want ad that I found online; it is adapted from the work of a
student in South Lake, TX. Can you guess the organelle?
“Looking for a great opportunity to lead? Do you enjoy making decisions for others? Is
guidance your strong point? If so, we are seeking to fill a managerial position. We are in
need of a control center for a cell. Must be able to operate a cell. Should have solid
experience reading and de-coding DNA. Should exhibit strong leadership skills. Benefits
include: placement in low-stress arm cells, long life guaranteed...you don't die; you just
divide and multiply! If interested contact The Body at 817-8WE-CELL.”
4. Your want ad should be created with a 2.5 in wide space for the text. Change your margins or
create a text box for your ad. We will try to piece our ads together to make a "page from the
newspaper" to post in the room. Do not include the name of your organelle in the ad so other
students can try to figure out which one it is.
**If you use additional websites than the ones listed above, you MUST make a proper bibliography**
Your grade will be determined by how well you communicate what you have learned about your
organelle. See the rubric below.
Name:
Cell Part:
Evaluate your work—fill out this rubric as if you were grading yourself. Turn in your rubric with your project.
Understanding/Content
X2
This one counts as double
1
The person’s
understanding of
the topic is so
incomplete or has
so many
misconceptions
that the person
cannot be said to
understand the
topic.
Communicates Effectively
in Written Form
The
communication
demonstrates little
or no attention to
the use of
necessary
conventions* of
writing. Errors are
distracting.
Assignment
The person is not
punctual in turning
in the assignment
and the
assignment is not
typed and does not
follow the
suggested format.
Assignment lacks
interesting,
creative, or
humorous details.
Creativity
2
The person has
incomplete
understanding of
the topic and/or
misconceptions
about some of the
information;
however, the
person maintains a
basic
understanding of
the topic.
The person does
not use some
required
conventions* of
writing or
demonstrates
errors in use of
some conventions.
Some errors may
be distracting.
3
The person has a
complete
understanding of
the information
important to the
topic but not in
great detail.
4
The person has
demonstrated a
complete and
detailed
understanding of
the cell part and
function within the
cell.
The person uses all
necessary
conventions* of
writing for
enhanced
readability with
few errors.
The person is not
punctual in turning
in the assignment
or the assignment
is not typed and
does not follow
the suggested
format.
Assignment meets
the requirements,
but is somewhat
lacking in
interesting,
humorous, or
creative details.
The assignment is
neatly typed but
does not follow
the suggested
format. The
person is punctual
in turning in the
assignment.
Some relationships
and details about
the particular cell
part are
communicated in a
creative way using
the prescribed
format.
The person uses all
necessary
conventions* of
writing without
error. Spelling,
punctuation,
capitalization,
grammar, usage,
and paragraphing
add to the overall
quality of the
communication.
Some conventions
may be
manipulated for
effect.
The assignment is
neatly typed and
follows the
suggested format.
Assignment is
turned in on time
or early.
The assignment
shows
relationships and
details about the
particular cell part
in an unusual,
original, or creative
fashion…wow
factor is present 
*WRITING CONVENTIONS include spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and paragraphing. The writer
should use conventions to enhance the readability of the paper. Spelling should be correct on all words.
Punctuation should be smooth and guide the reader through the paper. Capitalization should be used correctly.
Paragraphing should reinforce organization. The writer may manipulate conventions for effect.