Yakima WATERS Mini Lesson
Comparing the Cell to a Local Factory
Targets and Assessment
WA Science Standards Addressed:
Science 9-12 INQB Inquiry investigation
Science 9-12 INQC Inquiry explain
Lesson Parameters
Content Area: Cell Biology
Overview: Students will learn how Twin City Foods, Inc.
relates to their watershed. They will also learn about the
main processes that take place inside a factory and be able
to relate those processes to the organelles within a cell.
Grade Level: 10
Assessments:
 Turn in diagram of cell with explanation about
how organelles relate to the processes within a
factory. Will be graded based on how well
students understand concept of the cell parts
and function. Look at answer sheet for
breakdown of points.
Suggested Time: 50
Special Materials:
 none
Learning Outcomes:
 Knowledge: Students will be able to identify and explain the basic function of cell organelles and relate
them to processes within a factory in their watershed.
 Skill: Students will be able to apply their knowledge to draw a cell “factory” and explain the purpose of
each organelle within the cell.
Science Concept Background:
Factories play a large role in the watersheds in which they operate. Twin City Foods, Inc. is a factory in
Ellensburg that processes fresh produce into frozen vegetables. Most of the produce is grown within the
valley and water is taken out of local rivers and creeks in order to irrigate the fields to be able to produce
these crops. This transfer of water not only lowers water levels for organisms in the watershed, but also
results in run off of fertilizers into waterways as water eventually returns to rivers and creeks through
drainage channels.
Factories also affect the watershed because they need a lot of water to operate. This water tends to come
from wells which lowers groundwater. Factories such as Twin City Foods, Inc. use water to clean
vegetables and also to clean equipment. The water then goes down the drains in the factory and out to
the local sewer treatment plant. Once treated, this water is pumped into the river. In this example,
groundwater in the watershed is utilized for production and then once cleaned is returned to a different
water source within the watershed (i.e. the river).
A basic concept in biology is that all living things are composed of cells. To better understand living
organisms it is important to first have a foundation in cell biology and be able to distinguish the parts
(organelles) of a cell. In many ways a cell is like a factory in that all organelles within a cell have a purpose
(just as all components within a factory are necessary for production). Students will gain an appreciation
for a local factory and how it affects their watershed while simultaneously learning the functions of
organelles within a cell.
Materials:
 Computer with overhead projector
 Fact Sheet about Twin City Foods, Inc.
 Prentice Hall Biology Book Chapter 7 (pgs. 174-181)
Procedure:
Key questions:
What do you know about Twin City Foods, Inc.?
How does Twin City Foods relate to the Yakima Watershed?
Does a cell function similar to a factory? What are some examples?
What is the purpose of organelles within a cell?
1. Have students tell class what they know about Twin City Foods, Inc.
2. Fill in gaps by explaining information on Twin City Foods information sheet
3. Show brief video clip from Twin City Foods website’s packaging and distribution page (1 minute)
4. Relate Twin City Foods to the watershed by explaining how vegetables are grown locally using
irrigation water from the river and how that affects the watershed. Also talk about how waste from
factory ends up back in the river after passing through sewer treatment plant.
5. Compare the processes that occur inside Twin City Foods, Inc to the processes that occur within a cell.
6. Hand out Twin City Foods information sheet with diagram of a generic factory.
7. Have students draw a cell “factory” on a clean sheet of paper and label the organelles.
8. Next students will need to be able to relate how those organelles are similar to the different parts of a
factory.
Extension(s):
 Leave time at the end of class for a group discussion about how the processes within a cell and
a factory are similar. Ask students what they learned? See what results students come up with
and discuss why answers may differ? Ask students if any organelles did not fit into the factory
model? Help clear up confusion about the organelles and how they function.
Teaching Tips:
 Make sure students already have an understanding about the different organelles within a cell.
 Use a different local example if not in Ellensburg.
Supplements:
 Twin City Foods information sheet
 Twin City Foods, Inc website: http://www.twincityfoods.com/index.php
Author: Jennifer Lannoye, Yakima WATERS Project, CWU, Fall 2009