2.3 Cells Like City Structures Activity
Human Biology 11
Name___________
How does a cell function like a city? Think about the sights and sounds of a city. You
see people and cars moving about, buildings, restaurants, and lights everywhere. What a
flurry of activity!
Cells, the basic units of life, can be compared to a city. Cells are building and breaking
down material. Cells release energy from foods, and then use that energy to make needed
cell parts. Cells function to make your body operate like a well-run city.
Task:
1. Complete the city structure table 1.
2. Plan and create a rough draft (sketch) blueprint of your cell city***. The rough draft
must be approved by your teacher before moving on to the good copy.
3. Create a name for your city.
4. Create a good copy of your blueprint. More value will be given for work that shows
signs of care, colour, and creativity in the work.
5. Make a title page for all work to be passed in. This includes the rough draft.
***You do not have to make a city. If you have another idea that you think will work,
like a car or a school, you can use that analogy, just check with your teacher first. ***
Table 1. City Structures
Organelle
What part of the city has a
similar job to the organelle?
Where in your model will this city
structure be located?
Nucleus
Lysosome
Mitochondria
Endoplasmic
reticulum
Vacuole
1
Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Golgi
apparatus
Grading Rubric:
0 points
3 points
5 points
City structures identified
none
most
all
Similar job in city ‘fits’ with
organelle function
none
most
all
creativity
boring
meets basic requirements
one-of-a-kind
neatness
sloppy
meets basic requirements
outstanding
requirements of activity
none
most
all
rough draft (drawing)
none
most structures identified
exact blueprint
Cell –City Table
Work Results
Total points earned:
2