Cell Analogy: Amusement Park

Cell Analogy: Amusement Park

Nucleolus- Park Restaurants

Plasma Membrane- Gate

The nucleolus is contained within the nucleus and makes ribosomes. In the amusement park, the nucleolus is similar to the park restaurants. They are located within in the entrance of the park with all of the information about the park.

The plasma membrane is a phospholipid bilayer that surrounds the cell. It selects molecules that can enter the cell. The gate is much like the plasma membrane in that it selects who can enter the amusement park with a ticket! This is the entrance to the park.

plasma membrane

Nucleus- Information Booth

Vacuole- Maintenance workers

nucleolus

The nucleus contains the DNA for the cell and contains all of the blueprints for making necessary proteins. At an amusement park, the information booth, much like the nucleus of a cell, provides all of the information and maps for where to go and what to find!

The vacuole is the membrane bound spaces that store food, water, and sometimes waste materials. In the park, the vacuoles are similar to the maintenance workers such as custodians. They clean the park to make it look spotless for each guest.

vacuole

Lysosome-Trash/Recycling Bins

Mitochondria- Power Plant

The Lysosomes are the organelles that digest excess or worn out organelles in cells. They contain the digestive enzymes. In an amusement park, without trash cans, excess food and waste would have no where to be thrown away. By recycling the waste, it is put through a process much like the digestive enzymes.

The mitochondria contains the highly folded inner membrane, an outer membrane, and matrix. It is the site of cellular respiration to convert glucose into energy. This is the power plant of the park, powering all of the fun rides and providing bright lights for everlasting entertainment.

lysosomes

mitochondria

Ribosomes-Food Stands

Golgi Apparatus- Gift Shop

Ribosomes are the round, non-membrane bound organelles that make proteins according to the instructions given from DNA. Food stands at an amusement park provide nutrients and refreshments for the guests by instruction from the managers of the park. This is much like the process of the ribosomes.

The golgi apparatus is the flattened system of tubular membranes that sort and package proteins for transport out of the cell. In the amusement park, this is the gift shop where guests can purchase souvenirs and take them out of the park to take home.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum- Path ways

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum- Buses

The rough endoplasmic reticulum is a series of high folded membranes that provide a transport system between the nucleus and cytoplasm. In an amusement park, transportation is needed to provide the guests with fast access to all of the areas of the park. Buses provide the quickest transportation for the guests.

The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is a series of highly folded membranes that produce and store lipids in the cytoplasm. These are the different paths within the amusement park. They help the guests get around the park in the most efficient way.

ribosomes

golgi apparatus

rough endoplasmic reticulum

smooth endoplasmic reticulum