Download How does a cell function like a city? Think about the sites and

How does a cell function like a city? Think about the sites and sounds of a city. You see people and cars moving about,
buildings, restaurants, and lights everywhere. What a flurry of activity!
Cells, the basic units of life, can be compared to a city. Cells are building and breaking down material. Cells release
energy from foods, and then use that energy to make needed cell parts. Cells function to make your body operate like a
well run city.
1. Research each cell organelle to determine its function. Write the function down in the space
provided below. Below you will find a list of the cell organelles and city analogies. Remember; be creative when making
your cell city. Your city can be modern, futuristic, historic, or fantasy, as long as your analogies are similar to those
provided below. BE CREATIVE! THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX! Customize the “City Analogies” to fit your city!
Cell Organelles
Organelle Functions
City Analogies for a basic modern city
(make adjustments for your city)
Cell Membrane
River surrounding the city
Cell Wall
City Wall or Border of Protection
Cytoplasm
Remember: Includes cytosol plus
everything in the cell except the nucleus
so it’s technically already apart of your
drawing!
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Highway or road system
Ribosomes
Lumber or brick yard/ factory
Golgi Bodies (Golgi Apparatus)
Post Office or UPS
Chloroplasts
Solar Energy Plants
Nuclear Membrane
City Hall Fence with security guard
Mitochondria
Energy Plants
Nucleus
City Hall (or some other central controlling
body of your city)
DNA
Original Blueprints of the city
RNA
Copies of Blueprints
Nucleolus
Copy Machine
Lysosomes
Waste Disposal/ Recyclers
Vacuole
Warehouses, water towers or garbage
dumps
Protoplasm/ Cytosol
Air and Lawns
Chromosomes
Rolled up blueprints
Proteins
Lumber or bricks
2. Make a rough draft blueprint of your cell city. It should include labels for all cell organelles and their
corresponding city structure. Structures should be labeled Cell Organelle / Analogy Name. Example: Nucleus / City Hall.
Give your cell city a name at the top center of your drawing.
3. Make a poster model of your cell city with materials from home. Be sure to label all cell
organelles and corresponding city structures. Your model should look like your blueprint but neater and in color. All work
that has been finalized and approved MUST be laminated! Please make sure the proper heading including your name
date and class period are on the back top right corners of all of your work BEFORE it is laminated!
4. Chose one of the following careers and complete the job associated with that role.
Remember, all work that has been finalized and approved MUST be laminated!
Travel Agent
Newspaper Journalist/ Newscaster
Musician/ Poet
Career Job Descriptions
Travel Agent
Brochure Instructions:
1. Please use one sheet of unlined paper.
2. Fold your paper into thirds.
3. Include your "Cell City" name.
4. Describe the attractions of your city. These would be the organelles that people would come to visit.
You will need to describe the structure and function of at least 3 organelles.
5. Include colorful hand-drawn illustrations of the attractions of your city.
6. Present highlights to the class.
Newspaper Journalist / Newscaster
Newspaper article / Newscast story:
1. Please neatly print or type your article(s). NO LINED PAPER PLEASE!!!
2. Name your newspaper or TV station.
3. Create stories about what is happening in "Cell City". Be creative. Try an eye-catching headline or idea.



Emergency in an organelle
Award winning organelle for services
Sports event or hall of fame
4. You must describe the structure and function of at least 3 organelles in your article(s) or news story.
5. Read story to class or perform a newscast for bonus!
Musician/Poet
Song Instructions:
1. Neatly print or type the lyrics to your "Cell City" song using a familiar tune. NO LINED PAPER PLEASE!!!
2. You must describe the structure and function of at least 3 organelles in your song.
3. Perform your song for the class for bonus!
Poem Instructions:
1. Neatly print or type the words to your "Cell City" poem. NO LINED PAPER PLEASE!!!
2. You must describe the structure and function of at least 3 organelles in your poem.
3. Illustrate your poem.
4. Recite your poem for the class for bonus!
Cell City Evaluation
0 points
3 points
5 points
organelles represented
none
most
all
construction of city
falling apart
one month warranty
lifetime guarantee
no organelles labeled
none
most
all
city structures identified
none
most
all
accuracy of organelle structure
none
most
all
creativity
boring
meets basic requirements
one-of-a-kind
neatness
sloppy
meets basic requirements
outstanding
city named
none
general
unique
rough draft (drawing)
none
most structures identified
exact blueprint
Presentation of cell city
none
adequate
outstanding
Total points earned:
Job Evaluation
0 points
5 points
10 points
organelles represented
none
1-2
3
accuracy of organelle information
wrong
mostly correct
completely accurate
creativity
boring
meets basic requirements
one-of-a kind
presentation
none
adequate
outstanding
followed directions
not at all
mostly
exactly
Total points earned:
Although this activity seems simple, cells are very complex. You will be able to better understand the interrelationship of
the cell's organelles through this comparison to a city. This introduction to cells will prepare you for more detailed
instruction in the future.