Eukaryotic Cell Analogy Project

Purpose: To demonstrate your understanding of the parts of the eukaryotic cell, their functions, and the ways they work together to sustain the cell’s life processes.

Description: The cell is the basic unit of life, and the life forms that you and I are most familiar with are composed of what we call eukaryotic cells.

So what is a cell? The most basic characteristics of a cell involve DNA and ribosomes enclosed within a semipermeable cell membrane.

So what is a eukaryotic cell? The most basic characteristics of a eukaryotic cell involve the nucleus (DNA enclosed within a nuclear envelope), ribosomes, and organelles (membrane-bound units that carry out specific tasks within the cell). All of these are enclosed within a semipermeable cell membrane.

Your task is to make an analogy between the eukaryotic cell and some other organization or institution (this can exist in real life or just in your imagination). In other words, compare the eukaryotic cell to something you are familiar with in the larger world. Your analogy can be any of your choosing; however, your analogy must be creative, and it must make sense.

Components: the components of your project must be as follows:

1. a 2- or 3-dimensional model of your analogy, made with materials of your choosing that you must obtain yourself.

2. 8 labels that adequately introduce each part of your analogy, its function within your analogy, and how it compares to a part of the eukaryotic cell. The language you use between the two parts of your label should be parallel (see example below).

Your labels should follow the following general format:

Analogous part: analogous function

Cell organelle: organelle function

For example, if your analogy were of the cell as a restaurant:

The cook: makes the food

The ribosome: makes the protein

Did you notice the use of parallel language in this example? Here are the organelles that you must include in your project and make your labels for (5 points each):

A. Nucleus: boss, manager, director, etc. B. Cell membrane: wall, gate, fence, etc. C. Rough endoplasmic reticulum (rough ER): work area with the workers (the ribosomes) D. Ribosomes: workers, employees, etc. E. Golgi apparatus: place for modifying, inspecting, packing, and shipping product F. Mitochondria: energy source G. Vacuole: storage or waste area (for water reserves or trash) H. Protein: what you are making or producing.

Here are organelles that you can include for extra credit (1 point each):

I. Vesicles: packages/boxes to transport products in, around, and out of the building. J. Chloroplast: converts sun energy to food K. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (smooth ER): produces factory parts, breaks down toxic substances L. Cytoskeleton/cytoplasm: provides structure and storage space for building M. Lysosome: worker who cleans up trash and waste in building N. Nuclear envelope: walls of boss’ or manager’s office O. Nuclear pore: door to boss’ or manager’s office P. Nucleolus: hiring or training office; where workers are made.

Grading: Your project will be graded according to the following criteria (60 points):

Creativity and the overall fitness of your analogy: 10 points 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Labels: 5 points each, 40 points total A. Nucleus: 1 2 3 4 5 B. Cell membrane: 1 2 3 4 5 C. Rough endoplasmic reticulum (rough ER) : 1 2 3 4 5 D. Ribosomes: 1 2 3 4 5 E. Golgi apparatus: 1 2 3 4 5 F. Mitochondria: 1 2 3 4 5 G. Vacuole: 1 2 3 4 5 H. Protein: 1 2 3 4 5 I. Other: ______M. Other: ______J. Other: ______N. Other: ______K. Other: ______O. Other: ______L. Other: ______P. Other: ______Q. Neatness, legibility, and artistic merit: 10 points R. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 S. T. Note: You will also be graded according to what you contributed to your group project.