NYC Cell Analogy
By: Ellery Cupelis and Paige Stearn
Mitochondria
Function: The mitochondria generates energy (ATP) in plant and
animal cells.
Analogy: The mitochondria is like a power plant such at the Indian
Point Energy Center in New York because they both generate
energy for the cell/city to use.
Ribosomes
Function: Ribosomes build proteins in plant and animal cells.
Analogy: Ribosomes are like a factory because they both produce
and create different items. Ribosomes produce proteins and
factories produce goods.
Nucleus
Function: The nucleus contains DNA and is the center of the cell. The
nucleus is present in both plant and animal cells.
Analogy: The Nucleus is like Times Square because they are
both in the center of the cell/city. Also information is flowing
through both at all times.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Function: The endoplasmic reticulum connects organelles and forms
tubes in cells. The endoplasmic reticulum is in plant and animal
cells.
!
Analogy: The endoplasmic reticulum is like the roads and streets of
NYC because both connect different areas of the city/cell.
Golgi Apparatus
Function: The golgi apparatus packages macromolecules for
delivery in plant and animal cells.
!
Analogy: The golgi apparatus is like the UPS store because they
both package items for delivery.
Centrioles
Function: The centrioles is used for cell reproduction in animal
cells.
!
Analogy: The centrioles are like a hospital because new organisms
are created from previous organisms.
Plasma/ Cell Membrane
Function: The plasma/cell membrane controls passage of materials in
and out of plant and animal cells.
!
Analogy: The cell membrane is like the toll booths surrounding New
York City because only certain materials/people are allowed in and
out.
Lysosomes
Function: The lysosomes break down macromolecules in animal cells.
!
Analogy: Lysosomes are like junk yards because in a junk yard,
wastes are broken down which causes more entropy and lysosomes
break down macromolecules.
Cytoplasm/Cytosol
Function: The cytoplasm/ cytosol contains enzymes that catalyze/
speed up reactions in plant and animal cells.
!
Analogy: Cytoplasm/ Cytosol is like the subways in New York because
both speed up transportation for people/reactions in a cell.
Chloroplasts
Function: Chloroplasts form thylakoids in which light absorbing
pigments are embedded in plant cells.
!
Analogy: Chloroplasts are like the solar panels on top of building
because both turn sunlight into energy for the cell/person/household
to use.
Cytoskeleton
Function: Cytoskeleton gives plant cells physical structure.
!
Analogy: The cytoskeleton is like the skyscrapers in NYC because
the skyscrapers shape the cityscape and the cytoskeleton shapes
the cell’s physical appearance.
Vacuole
Function: Vacuoles store water, nutrients, and waste in plant cells.
!
Analogy: Vacuoles are like restaurants because both store/preserve
water and nutrients. Plus some restaurants recycle which is similar to
storing waste in cells.
Cell Wall
Function: The cell wall protects the plant cell.
!
Analogy: The cell wall is like the police force/NYPD because they both
keep the cell/city secure and safe.