Download Francesca Cigliano

Francesca Cigliano
October 24, 2010
Biology/ P. 3
When analyzed, one can see how a plant cell and an everyday restaurant are very similar; the
plant cell’s organelles function similarly to specific jobs in the restaurant.
The function of the nucleus of a plant cell is to control all activities of a cell (also known as the
“control center” of a cell). This can be compared to a manager in a restaurant. A manager controls
the staff of the restaurant and is in charge of all activities occurring in a restaurant.
The function of ribosomes in a plant cell is to help to produce proteins in the cell. These proteins
are then used all throughout the cell for many different purposes. In a restaurant, ribosomes can
be compared to the customers. The customers “produce” money for the restaurant through
purchasing food, and the money the restaurant earns is needed in order for the restaurant to
continue to operate.
The function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in a plant cell is to be a network through which
materials can be transported. The rough ER can be compared to a waiter in a restaurant because a
waiter “transports” materials (meals) around the restaurant to wherever they are needed.
The function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum is similar to that of the rough endoplasmic
reticulum. The smooth ER can be compared to a host in a restaurant. Hosts are similar to smooth
ER in the way that hosts move people around in a restaurant to their seats, like how ER moves
materials around in the cell.
The function of mitochondria is to convert energy into ATP, which is the form of energy cells use
to perform chemical reactions. The mitochondria can be compared to an electrical box in a
restaurant, which converts energy into electricity. The electricity can then be used to power the
entire restaurant.
The function of the Golgi Complex in a cell is to modify and to put “address labels” on the
different materials that pass through it. This can be related to the chef in a restaurant, because a
chef modifies the food he is cooking as well as puts address labels to which table each order
should be sent to.
The function of the cell wall in a plant cell is to provide support, protect, and filter substances in
and out of the cell. The cell wall can be compared to the walls in a restaurant because the walls
help to support the whole restaurant and to protect it.
The function of a cell membrane in a plant cell is to allow certain substances in and out of the cell.
The cell membrane can be compared to a door greeter at a restaurant, because he or she allows
certain people in, but has the ability to keep certain people from entering.
The function of the large central vacuole is to store water and other materials. This can be
compared to the refrigerator of the restaurant because the refrigerator stores water and other
items that are later on utilized by the restaurant.
The function of the chloroplasts in a plant cell is to use energy to convert materials (light, water,
and carbon dioxide) into food for the cell. This can be compared to an oven in a restaurant,
because an oven uses energy to convert ingredients into food.