Cell Analogy Collage Poster Project
Overview/Purpose:
The cell is a complex structure made up of many parts that serve specific
functions. It is often helpful to relate these structures to objects we are familiar with. This
activity is designed to create an analogy from your own experience or everyday objects.
You are to develop an analogy to help you better understand the functions of organelles.
Requirements: YOU MUST USE ½ of a poster board that you bring or butcher
paper from me, NOTHING ELSE! DO NOT USE cardboard and do NOT use
anything bigger than ½ a poster!!!
You must NEATLY draw and color (no printed pictures) a plant or animal cell on a 6” x 8”
white paper (this will be glued onto your larger poster). Include ALL 5 organelles for
animal cells or 7 organelles for plant cells of the following structures from the chart
below.
Plant cell
Animal cell
1. Cytoplasm
1. Cytoplasm
2. Cell membrane
3. Cell membrane
4. Mitochondria
5. Mitochondria
6. Vacuole
7. Vacuole
8. Nucleus
9. Nucleus
10. Chloroplast
11. Cell wall
1. Use the planning guide BEFORE drawing. You will use the guide to help you
identify what structures you will need to include on your poster.
2. Correctly identify your cell as a plant or animal cell on your poster
3. Find a magazine or newspaper picture, or an actual everyday object which has a
similar function (or use) as each cell structure.
a. Think in terms of household items, machinery, appliances, computers, etc.
b. Write an analogy to show the similarity between the cell part and the
everyday object.
c. Be sure to explain the reasoning behind your analogies. (ex: the nucleus
is like a brain because it controls and coordinates the activities of the
whole cell in the same way the brain controls and coordinates activities of
the whole body.) – You may NOT use the brain as an analogy.
4. Paste your cell drawing in the center of a ½ poster-sized paper.
5. Paste the pictures or everyday objects at the edges of the poster. In each
square, label the organelle and include your neatly written (or typed) analogy and
reasoning and draw a pointer to the correct structure in your cell drawing.
Grading-Plant cell
Requirements
Grading-Plant cell
Possible
points
Points
earned
Requirements
Possible
points
Name
5
Name
5
Planning guide
20
Planning
guide
20
Identified as plant
or animal cell
10
Identified as
plant or
animal cell
10
Cell drawing
10
Cell drawing
10
7 organelles
labeled
15
5 organelles
labeled
15
7 analogy pictures
or objects
15
5 analogy
pictures or
objects
15
7 analogies and
reasonings
15
5 analogies
and
reasonings
15
Neatness
10
Neatness
10
Total
100
Total
100
Points
earned