Cell Analogies Relating to a School
Nucleus:
The nucleus is like the principal of a school because it hold all of the information of the cell, just like a principal holds all of the information of the school.
Nuclear Envelope:
The nuclear envelope is like the gates surrounding a school because it protects the nucleus like the gates protect the school.
Nucleolus:
The nucleolus is like the main office because it is in charge of the ribosome synthesis and assembly just like the main office is in charge of assembling all of the news that needs to get to the students.
Chromosomes:
The chromosomes are like the the district administrator because it determines the identity of the cell, just like the administrator determines the general reputation for the district.
Cytoplasm:
The cytoplasm is like the kids in the school hallway between classes because it fills the cell where the organelles aren't, just like kids fill the hallway when the bell rings.
Cell Membrane:
The cell membrane is like the guidance counselor because it protects the cell from its surroundings, just like the guidance counselor helps protect students from being bullied.
Chromatin:
The chromatin would be the assistant principal because it helps with converting DNA and RNA, just like the assistant principal carries out the principal's rules.
Ribosomes:
The ribosomes are like the teachers because they translate RNA templates into proteins, just like teachers interpret lessons from the curriculum and make lesson plans according to their style of teaching.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum:
The rough ER is like the school hallways because they transport proteins, just like the hallways are used for students to transport themselves between classes.
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum:
The smooth ER is like a school bus because it transports proteins, just like buses transports students to and from school.
Chloroplast:
The chloroplast is like the cafeteria lunch ladies because it transforms light energy to the chemical energy of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), just like the cafeteria ladies turn ingredients into food for lunch.
Mitochondria:
The mitochondria are like the main office because it is the power house of the cell, just like the main office is where the main flow of power lies in a school.
Lysosome:
The lysosomes are like the custodians because they kill bacteria and help with the digestion process, like custodians clean the school from germs and it helps to keep the school running smoothly (with lack of filth and germs).
Vacuole:
Vacuoles are like a refrigerator in a chemistry lab because they store nutrients, waste, and water, just like a fridge stores nutrients, waste, and water for chemistry experiments.
Cytoskeleton:
The cytoskeleton is like the construction of the school because it gives a cell shape and mechanical resistance to deformation, just like the construction of a school shapes the form and keeps it from collapsing.
Microtubule:
Microtubules are like the bells between classes in school because they are responsible for various movements in cells, just like the bell is responsible for a sudden flow of students in the hallway to change classes.
Cilia and Flagella:
The cilia and flagella are like the line markers on the school's football field because they line the surface of the cell, just like the lines on the field line where the players stand and where plays are made.
Cell Wall:
The cell walls are like the walls between classrooms because they provide structural support and a filtering mechanism in cells, just like walls in a school divide different classrooms from each other and provide support so the ceiling doesn't cave in.
The nucleus is like the principal of a school because it hold all of the information of the cell, just like a principal holds all of the information of the school.
Nuclear Envelope:
The nuclear envelope is like the gates surrounding a school because it protects the nucleus like the gates protect the school.
Nucleolus:
The nucleolus is like the main office because it is in charge of the ribosome synthesis and assembly just like the main office is in charge of assembling all of the news that needs to get to the students.
Chromosomes:
The chromosomes are like the the district administrator because it determines the identity of the cell, just like the administrator determines the general reputation for the district.
Cytoplasm:
The cytoplasm is like the kids in the school hallway between classes because it fills the cell where the organelles aren't, just like kids fill the hallway when the bell rings.
Cell Membrane:
The cell membrane is like the guidance counselor because it protects the cell from its surroundings, just like the guidance counselor helps protect students from being bullied.
Chromatin:
The chromatin would be the assistant principal because it helps with converting DNA and RNA, just like the assistant principal carries out the principal's rules.
Ribosomes:
The ribosomes are like the teachers because they translate RNA templates into proteins, just like teachers interpret lessons from the curriculum and make lesson plans according to their style of teaching.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum:
The rough ER is like the school hallways because they transport proteins, just like the hallways are used for students to transport themselves between classes.
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum:
The smooth ER is like a school bus because it transports proteins, just like buses transports students to and from school.
Chloroplast:
The chloroplast is like the cafeteria lunch ladies because it transforms light energy to the chemical energy of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), just like the cafeteria ladies turn ingredients into food for lunch.
Mitochondria:
The mitochondria are like the main office because it is the power house of the cell, just like the main office is where the main flow of power lies in a school.
Lysosome:
The lysosomes are like the custodians because they kill bacteria and help with the digestion process, like custodians clean the school from germs and it helps to keep the school running smoothly (with lack of filth and germs).
Vacuole:
Vacuoles are like a refrigerator in a chemistry lab because they store nutrients, waste, and water, just like a fridge stores nutrients, waste, and water for chemistry experiments.
Cytoskeleton:
The cytoskeleton is like the construction of the school because it gives a cell shape and mechanical resistance to deformation, just like the construction of a school shapes the form and keeps it from collapsing.
Microtubule:
Microtubules are like the bells between classes in school because they are responsible for various movements in cells, just like the bell is responsible for a sudden flow of students in the hallway to change classes.
Cilia and Flagella:
The cilia and flagella are like the line markers on the school's football field because they line the surface of the cell, just like the lines on the field line where the players stand and where plays are made.
Cell Wall:
The cell walls are like the walls between classrooms because they provide structural support and a filtering mechanism in cells, just like walls in a school divide different classrooms from each other and provide support so the ceiling doesn't cave in.