One way to come to a better understanding of the function of a cell and its part
ID: 18502 • Letter: O
Question
One way to come to a better understanding of the function of a cell and its parts is to compare it to something that you are familiar with. For example, it is known that a cell is responsible for making proteins which can be transported out of a cell. In this respect, a cell is like a protein factory. What would the various organelles be in this cellular factory? Take the plasma membrane; it is the boundary around the cell and regulates what goes in and out. If the cell was a factory, the plasma membrane would be like the walls and doors around the factory. You are to come up with something that you are going to compare a cell to and determine for each of the following organelles what the analogous parts would be. Your analogous parts must have something to do with the function of the organelle to. In the example, the cell was compared to a factory and the analogous factory part to the plasma membrane was the walls and doors which regulate what goes in and out.Fill in the blank.
I am comparing a cell to a/an_____________________________
For each of the organelle name the function and the analogous part.
Organelle Function Analogous Part
Plasma membrane
Rough ER
Smooth ER
Golgi Body
Mitochondrion
Chloroplast
Ribosome
Lysosome
Nucleus
Explanation / Answer
I. The function of plasma membrane is 1.Controls materials that move in and out of the cell 2. Maintains cell shape and stabilizes the location of certain membrane proteins 3. Cell communication and recognition An analogy of a plasma membrane is a comparison to real life things. Such as the border patrol can actually be like the plasma membrane which it is very selective on what enter and what leaves. Therefore an analogy is a comparison to a real life thing. II. The function of rough ER is to synthesizes enzymes involved in the process of respiration. The analog of Rough ER is it makes ribosomes and amino acids so it's somewhat like a toy making factory. III. The function of smooth ER is synthesis of lipids , metabolism of carbohydrates & detoxification of drugs and poisons. Analog of Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is like a manufacturing plant, like a factory, where proteins and lipids are made. This is also where things are packaged into boxed and sent off to different places. In the cell the smooth ER is a network of membrane bound bodies which lack ribosomes (the molecules used in protein synthesis) and its primary function is to modify, encapsulate and transport newly synthesized proteins and lipids which will be secreted or remain in the cytoplasm as membrane bound vesicles. IV. The function of the Golgi body is to pack the proteins and send it to other parts of the cell. The analog of the Golgi apparatus is like it can be compared to the Post Office since it packages macromolecules for transport elsewhere in the cell! V. The function of Mitochondria is the Production i.e., Release of the Potential Energy Stored within the Food in an Usable form of ATP. These ATP act as a source of energy for Performing the Vital Activities of the body. The analog of mitochondrion is: the fuel cell in a hydrogen/electric powered automobile (good analogy because the fuel cell is performing a function in the car in a way very similar to the mitochondrion in a cell) -- fuel cell : automobile mitochondrion : cell. VI. The main function of chloroplast is to take energy from the sun and turn it into oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. An analogy would be solar panels. Solar panels absorb the light and convert it into usable energy. So do chloroplasts. They convert it into chemical energy. VII. Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis, where RNA is translated into protein. When cells need large numbers of proteins, they must first build numerous ribosomes. Ribosomes are like masons because they link protein chains together according to RNA (rather like a blueprint) just as masons "link" bricks together according to a blueprint. VIII. Lysosomes are single, membrane-bound sacs that contain digestive enzymes. The digestive enzymes break down all the major classes of macromolecules including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and nucleic acids. Throughout a cell's lifetime, the lysosomal enzymes digest old organelles to make room for newly formed organelles. The lysosomes allow cells to continually renew themselves and prevent the accumulation of cellular toxins. The analog is to a garbage disposal. They are like the body's garbage disposal. A sort of wrecking crew to get rid of certain products of ingestion. IX. The function of nucleus is to store DNA and coordinate for cell reproduction. A brain can be an analogy for nucleus or I would say an air traffic control tower because the nucleus of a cell controls the activities of the cell like an air traffic control tower controls the activities in an airport.
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