Cell Functional Analogies Collage
Purpose: To aid in learning the structure and function of cellular organelles by writing analogies
for their functions. An analogy is a way of explaining something by comparing it point by point
with something else.
Materials: computer paper, colored pencils or markers, list of cell parts and functions.
Procedure:
1. Every student must create their own analogy sheet.
2. Use your chart that lists the organelles and functions as a reference.
3. Decide if you want to compare a plant or an animal cell.
4. Compare your cell to an everyday object that has a function or use similar to that of each cell
organelle.
a. Ex- if you compared your cell to a city, the nucleus would be like the mayor’s office.
5. Write an analogy to show the similarity between the function of the cell organelle and the
everyday object. The analogy must be written exactly in this format:
a. The (name of the organelle) is like a (everyday object) because the (name of the organelle) (the function
of the organelle) like the (name of the everyday object) (function of the everyday object).
6. Choose a theme for your cell. Select your analogies and pictures based on this theme.
Example: cell as a computer.- The nucleus is like a CPU because the nucleus controls the functions of
the cell like the CPU controls the functions of the computer.
Plant cell organelles
Plasma membrane
Nucleolus
Nucleus
Chloroplast
Cytoskeleton
Cytoplasm
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Ribosome
Golgi Apparatus
Central Vacuole
Mitochondria
Cell Wall
Animal Cell organelles
Plasma membrane
Nucleolus
Nucleus
Centriole
Cytoskeleton
Cytoplasm
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Ribosome
Golgi Apparatus
Food Vacuole
Mitochondria
Cilia
Lysosome
Flagella
Rubric:
1. ____________________ Neatness (10 pts)
2. ____________________Pictures (1 pt each- total of 16)
3. ____________________ Correctly written analogies (2pts each- total of 32)
4. ____________________ Correctly demonstrated theme (10pts)
____________________ Total score (68 pts)