The Cell City:

Functions of Cell Organelles

The Cell and it’s parts can be thought of
as a miniature city with different
buildings specializing in specific tasks.
 Cell Wall
The cell city is protected by the
city wall. It protects the city
from outside influences and
helps define where the city
limits begin.

The city wall is like the cell

wall found in plant cells. This
ridged structure protects and
gives shape to the cell.
 The Cell Membrane
The cell membrane is like
the city limits. It controls
what goes in and out of the
cell like the city limits do
for the city.

The city limits also

separate the city from
other cities. The cell
membrane separates the
cell from other cells.
 Cytoplasm
The cells internal structures
are suspended in a gel-like
substance called cytoplasm.
It helps organelles move
throughout the cell.
The road system allows
for movement
throughout the city just
like the cytoplasm does
in the cell.
 The Nucleus
In the cell city, the city hall
controls all the activities of
the city. It is the control
center of the city.

The nucleus controls

the cell, directing all its
activity much like city
hall.
 Chromosomes (DNA)
The cell’s genetic material
is stored in the nucleus.
This is called DNA or
chromosomes.

The City Auditor stores all

the records of the city and
passes them on as the city
grows.
 Ribosomes

Ribosomes receive instructions

from the nucleus and make
proteins.

The construction company

in the cell city builds
structures for the city,
much like the ribosome
“builds” proteins for the
cell.
 Endoplasmic Reticulum
Delivery vans in the cell
city deliver products
made at the construction
company to other
locations in the city.

The Endoplasmic Reticulum

modifies proteins made by
ribosomes. The ER will also
“deliver” proteins to other
parts of the cell like the
delivery vans do for the city.
 The Golgi Body
The Golgi Body is like the
“packing & shipping” office
of the cell. It will make any
finishing touches to the
proteins made by the
ribosomes and ship them off.
In the cell city the post
office receives packages
and mails them off to the
location they’re
supposed to go.
 Chloroplasts
The solar power plant uses
the sun’s energy to produce
power in the city, similar to
chloroplasts in plant cells.

Chloroplasts are found

in plant cells and some
bacterial cells. They
convert light energy
into food (glucose).
 Mitochondria
The power company
produces energy for the
city like the mitochondria
does for the cell.

Mitochondria are found in

plant and animal cells.
Known as the “powerhouse”
of the cell, they convert food
(glucose) into “cell energy”.
 Lysosomes
Lysosomes are like the city
garbage trucks. They
contain enzymes to break
down things.
The city garbage trucks
drive around the cell
city collecting used
materials to get rid of.
They are responsible
for cleaning the city.
 Vacuole
The vacuole is similar
to a city garbage
dump. This is where
lysosomes will dump
some of the garbage
found in the cell.

Vacuole

The vacuole stores waste

material. It is VERY large in a
plant cell and some animal
cells won’t even have one.