Modeling Cell Structures
Date
Objective: Now that you know the organelles of the cell and their function, relate the cell to a
city by matching the organelle function with a part of the city, then name the organelle whose
function it matches. Look for patterns, structure determining function and system models.
Part A. Cell City
Figure # and Name
#1 Construction Site
#2 Transport
Company
#3 Power Plant
#4 Food
Manufacturing Plant
#5 Water Recycling
Plant
#6 City Hall
#7 Storage Tank
#8 Gate
Function performed by
each numbered figure
Cell Organelle that closely
performs each of these
same functions
Does Cell
City
represent a
plant cell or
an animal
cell?
Explain your
answer.
Answer has
three parts.
Part B. Automobile Factory
Ms. Perez’s science class was taking a field trip to an automobile factory. When they
arrived, the students entered through a strong wall around the factory. They saw solar panels
on the roof that generate energy for the factory. There were many doors in the building
through which workers and supplies move in and out of the factory.
On the first stop of the tour, the students were shown the main office, the most
important room in the factory. Instructions for every job are controlled from this central
location.
Students then visited the main energy source where the power is produced for the
entire factory. The students saw the many machines located throughout the factory that make
all the automobile parts. Assembly lines move the parts from place to place. Some cars are
moved to a parking lot to wait for shipment.
Finally, when all the parts of the cars are put together, the shipping department delivers
them to locations around the country. Ms. Perez’s students learned how much organization and
work goes into making an automobile.
Factory Part
Factory
Wall
Solar Panels
Doors
Main Office
Energy Source
Machines
Assembly Lines
Parking
Shipping
Department
Function of that Part
Cell Organelle it Represents
Part C. Design your own
Working with your partner, design your own comparison of another system you know, with a
cell, its organelles, and their functions. Some ideas you could use could be the school, your
home, etc.