This document compares the structures and functions of a typical plant cell to an apartment and its occupants. It describes the cell wall as the apartment walls that provide structure and protection. The plasma membrane acts as the front door, controlling what enters and exits the cell. Organelles such as the nucleus, vacuole, chloroplasts, and endoplasmic reticulum are likened to appliances and residents that perform important functions for the cell, such as storing materials, producing energy, and transporting molecules throughout the cell.

1. Eukaryotic (Plant) Cell vs. Apartment Sample: Cell Analogy Project

2. Typical Plant Cell vs. My Apartment

3. Cell Wall = Walls of Apartment Thick and rigid structure Surrounds cell Provides support Provides protection Maintains shape Bonds with other “cell walls” In plants: composed of cellulose fiber

4. Plasma Membrane = Front Door Inside “cell wall” Support and Protection Barrier between “cell” and its environment Controls what goes in and comes out In plants: thin layer of protein and fat

5. Lysosome = Dexter Attack intruders Break down food particles In plants: made up of digestive enzymes Uncommon

6. Nucleus = Laptop Stores important information In plants: spherical body containing many organelles

7. Vacuole = Refrigerator Filled with food and water Stores nutrients In plants: large, membrane-bound space Typically one per cell, may be more

8. Amyloplast = Bread Cabinet Stores starches that provide energy Smaller than “vacuole” Found only in starchy plants such as fruits and tubers Gives sugary taste

9. Chloroplast = Jimmy John’s Delivery Guy Use energy to make food Deliver food to “cell” In plants: contain chlorophyll, giving plants a green color

10. Endoplasmic Reticulum = Stairs Provides transportation of materials throughout cell In plants: network of tubes and membranes Smooth & Rough ER

11. Ribosomes = Katie, Roommate Small bodies Synthesize proteins In plants: composed to RNA-rich cytoplasmic granules Freely moving or attached to ER

12. Golgi Body = Ann, Roommate Packs proteins and carbohydrates into “vesicles” “ Vesicles” then exported from “cell” In plants: flattened, layered sac-like organelle Resembles stack of pancakes

13. The End Special thanks to all those who made this PowerPoint possible: Ribsomes……..….Katherine Beatty Golgi Body………….Ann Nickelson Lysosome………….Dexter the kitty