Structures

The structure of the cell corresponds with the stucture of a city. Find out more about each structure below.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

This is the site of storage, modification and transport of proteins and other substances. In a city, this would be the Industrial Park, where many individual component factories (ribosomes) come together to produce completed products.

Ribosome

This is the site of protein synthesis within the cell. There are many millions of these small units that house the messenger molecules from the nucleus and use them as templates from which to make proteins. In a city, this would be a factory unit where raw materials are transformed into a finished product.

Nucleus

This is the heart of the cell, the control centre. It contains the cell’s DNA (the genetic material), which is stored and organised into chromosomes. In a city, it would be a combination of the City Hall and the Central Library.

Mitochondria

Site of energy production and ATP formation (ATP is the energy storage molecule of the cell) In a city, this would be a power station, where raw material is converted into energy.

Lysosomes

These cells contain specialised proteins, which break down other cells to their components for re-use in the cell. In a city, these would be water recycling plants or scrap metal yards.

Cytosol

This is the where a sequence of chemical reactions occur, by which the cell generates energy and other biological processes. In a city, this would be the city streets, markets and parks where people meet and interact with each other during the course of their daily lives.

Cytoskeleton

A series of fibrous proteins which help organise, structure and orient the cell. In a city, these would be postcodes, enabling the mail to reach its destination or a road system, enabling movement to specific places.

Cell membrane

The cell membrane forms the outermost layer of animal cells. This membrane determines what substances can enter or leave the cell. In plant cells, the Vacuole increases the cell surface and is crucial in maintaining the plant's rigidity. In a city, it would perform the same function as a city wall or city ring road.

Cell City
Structures

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