Animal Cell as City Analogy
We have already compared Cell to a factory; now let's compare Cell to a city. As you know cell is basic structural and functional unit of life. All organisms, from bacteria to blue whale are made of cells. Basically, there are two types of cells; Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic. Watch our video on this topic here.
In prokaryote, pro means
(first formed) karyote means (nucleus): Genetic material, DNA is not
surrounded by a membrane or it is scattered in the cytoplasm. Eg: bacteria
In Eu (true) karyote
(nucleus): Genetic material DNA is surrounded by a nuclear membrane. The other
major difference is the present of organelles like mitochondria, golgi
apparatus etc in eukaryotes or division of labour is there. Imagination is the
key in understanding this wonderful minute structure that makes us alive. Here
we are going to compare a Eukaryotic cell to a city.
A cell has various compartments
performing different functions and producing many products for the sustenance, just
like a city.
In a city there are different
sections like administration, transportation, waste management etc. Organelles in
a cell can be compared to different sections of a city performing different
functions as a complex entity.
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1) Nucleus: is comparable to the “City Hall or Town hall” of a city where policy makers discuss, decide and formulate laws
for the smooth governance of the city. This administrative site is guarded by the
city police force for regulated entry and exit. Inside the cell, the nucleus is the instruction centre with the genetic material DNA, where instruction for the synthesis of
products or proteins is coded. It is protected by a nuclear membrane, ensuring
its protection from the rest of the cell and also ensures selective permeability
or entry and exit.
2) Mitochondrion: In a city, it is the “Power plant”
where energy or electric current is supplied to different parts of the city for
day-to-day activities. It is the powerhouse of the cell producing energy by
cellular respiration thus providing energy for all cellular activities.
3) Cytoplasm: In a city, it can be compared to the “premise,
area, or the environment”. It is the fluid filled matrix of the cell where
all organelles, water, salts and various organic molecules are present.
4) Endoplasmic reticulum (ER): is comparable to the “high
way or road” of a city where the products produced are transported to different locations of the city. ER is an interconnected membranous system where proteins
are modified and transported. RER has ribosomes (workers) on the surface
responsible for protein synthesis (products). It has a continuous connection with the nuclear membrane.
5) Golgi apparatus (GA): In a city, it is the “post
office” where products are classified, addressed and dispatched. GA is the
‘sorting centre of the cell’ where proteins are chemically tagged or addressed to
reach the correct location within a cell.
6) Ribosomes: is comparable to “factory”
in a city where different products required are made. Ribosomes are protein
synthesizing nano machines that synthesize proteins required for the cell.
7) Vesicles: is comparable to “road
trucks” that carry products to different parts of the city. Proteins are packed
in vesicles transported to the precise destinations within the cell.
8) Lysosome: is comparable to a “recycling
plant” where wastes are disposed, degraded and recycled. A lysosome is a
membrane-bound cell organelle with digestive enzyme that digest and recycle
material taken up from outside the cell and to degrade biomolecules of the cell
itself.
9) Cell membrane: is comparable to “the city limits” of a city. The cell membrane is a semi permeable boundary of the cell that has specialized channels
for entry and exit guarded by proteins.
Related post: Cell Factory Analogy
Video on 15 Difference between Plant Cell and Animal Cell
Animal Cell Structure and Function poster and PDF
Plant Cell Structure and Function poster and PDF
Learn more: Journey through the cell, Cell structure and Function
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