Cell City Project
Cells contain many parts that have to work together in order for the cell to survive. Each part of
the cell has a specific role. If one part of the cell doesn’t do its job, it affects the entire cell in a
negative way. We can compare a cell to a city. Like cells, cities can be broken down into
different parts. These different parts must work together in order for the city to run smoothly.
What would happen if the trash was never picked up or the dumpsters never emptied? The city
would stink!! What would happen if the energy power plants decided to take a day off? All of
these parts are very important! You will see that all of the parts in a cell, like a city, are very
important as well.
Task Explanations
Step 1 - Cell City Organization and Planning Committee
In your group, work together to plan and create a rough draft blueprint of your cell city. It
should include the following:
1. Labels of all cell organelles and their corresponding city structures
2. Name of city (Be creative and appropriate, of course)
3. Cell Analogies Worksheet (See accompanying worksheet) – Keep this, because this needs to
be turned in with your final product!
Your rough draft may be done using whatever means you desire. You will be constructing a final
drawing from your rough draft.
Once your rough draft is completed, have Mayor Mohr check to ensure you’re on the right
track and didn’t leave anything out!
Step 2 - Cell City Mapping Committee
In your group, create a drawing of your cell city on poster board (Mayor Mohr will provide this
for you). This will allow anyone coming from far away to visit your city to know where things
are located! The final drawing should include a label for all cell organelles and corresponding
city structures! Your labels need to be clear. Your final drawing should look like a map! BE
CREATIVE and HAVE FUN!
Also, make sure to hand in your Cell Analogies worksheet, just in case any visitors get confused
when they view your map.
A rubric for grading your final project will be coming shortly.