Cells

Who lives here. What jobs do they have Who lives here? What jobs do they have? How do they contribute to Houston’s success?

The cell is like a town – each part (citizens, government, workers) must do their part in order for the town to function. The cell is the same way, all parts must function properly to ensure the survival of the entire cell.

What is this? What does it do?

Nucleus Just as the brain is the control center of your body, the nucleus is the control center of the cell. It is the part of the cell that bosses every other part around.

What is the job of the fence?

Cell Membrane The cell membrane acts like a fence to the cell. It keeps certain things out and allows others to enter, just like your fence can open to allow people through, but it stays closed to keep your pets in.

What is the job of the jello?

Cytoplasm Just like the Jell-o holds the fruit together in the bowl, the cytoplasm of the cell acts like the glue that holds all other organelles in place.

Why do you drink these?

Mitochondria Just like Red Bull and Monster give you energy, the mitochondria provide the cell with energy. Think of it like this: “mighty”-chondria; mighty = strong, you need energy to get strong.

What is in these balloons?

Vacuole Just like the balloons are holding water, the vacuole in a plant cell holds water. The plant has a large central vacuole, the animal cell only has tiny vacuoles.

What is the function of the walls in this house?

Cell Wall The walls of a building give it structure and protection from the outside elements. The cell wall protects the plant cell and gives it a rigid structure. (It is the thick green line going all the way around the cell).

What is this guy doing?

Chloroplast The fast food worker is making your food, unlike humans, plants can make their own. The chloroplast is the site of photosynthesis, it is where plants produce their own food. Plants have this, animals do not.