Instructor: Lindsay Peluso

The Cell Structure Compared to a Factory

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This tutorial will teach you the characteristics of the parts of the cell. Before we learn

about the functions of the cell, let’s learn about the history of the cell. In 1665, the

English scientist, Robert Hooke, first noted the existence of cells. This discovery was

founded when Hooke placed a thin slice of cork though his microscope. When looking

through a microscope he noticed there were many small boxes, which reminded him of

cells in a monastery. From here, the genesis of the naming the ‘cell’ was born.

The Cell Theory consists of three basic points: all living things are made of cells, the cell

is the smallest living thing that can perform all the functions of life, and all cells must

come from preexisting cells. (Source) Understanding cells are the key to learning about

life itself, because cells are the most basic unit of life.

There are two types of cells: animal and plant. There are many operational and physical differences between the plant and animal cells. Moreover, they are both living things, so there are basic functions are the same. Throughout this tutorial, you will be learning about the characteristics of the cell. Pay close attention because there will be a quiz to follow at the end of the tutorial.

To help you make real world connections to a cell, this tutorial is going to compare it to a factory. Imagine a factory designing the latest piece of technology, a new tablet, iPhone 10, or the iPad 8. It does not matter what the factory makes, because the majority of them are set up the same way. Every factory must have walls, production lines, an executive department for the CEO, and a finishing department to prepare the product for shipping and packing. Along with the factory sending out their products, they are also receiving materials.

The Plasma Membrane is the “shipping and receiving” department of the cell. It

regulates what enters and leaves the cell. In a factory, this would include the

incoming or outgoing mail and packages. These packages handlers would have to

make contact with the external environment. The receptionist workers would allow

communication between all of the departments. The receptionist is also the face of

the factory because they are the first person an individual notices when they enter

the building. Located all around the cell, or factory would be the security workers

checking IDs, and determining who is admitted into the factory and who is not allowed

into the factory. In a cell all of these jobs are performed by the Plasma Membrane.

The Nucleus would be the Chief Executive Officer or CEO of the factory. The nucleus

controls every aspect of the factory, and there are many responsibilities. The CEO would

have to keep track of all the blueprints, tell the workers which products to build, and when

to build them.

The nucleus controls all cell activity along with determining what proteins will be made.

The blueprints in the factory have been around ever since the factory was created. Many

of the blueprints will be out of date and it is the CEO’s job to find the precise plans,

replicate them, and make sure they are sent out to the assembly line at the proper time.

The Cytoplasm is where all of the vigorous physical work takes place,

because it happens on the cell’s factory floor. The work of the cytoplasm falls

underneath many categories, such as production, maintenance, and energy

transformation. There are many members of this production team. Continue

the tutorial to meet all of the other factory jobs. Cytoplasm refers to

everything among the cell membrane and the nuclear membrane.

Let’s practice a few of the definitions we learned:

What cell organelle acts as the shipping/receiving department?

Other characteristics of it include regulating what enters and leaves

the cell and where the cell makes contact with the external

environment

A. Plasma membrane

B. Nucleus

C. Cytoplasm

I am sorry that answer was incorrect. Please select the home button and review the previous slides.

Correct! Please proceed with the tutorial

The Endoplasmic Reticulum or ER are workers who are greatly

experienced tradespeople, and they receive a higher salary than

their co-workers. These workers are able to depict the blueprints

the CEO has given to them, so they do not create the designs.

The ER expands from the nuclear membrane to the plasma

membrane. It functions as an alleyway through the cytoplasm, as a

support structure for the addition of other organelles, and as a

workplace for the ribosomes.

The Ribosomes are the factory workers who build the proteins,

and they are manufactured by the nucleolus. The ribosomes are the

workers in the assembly line. The ribosomes are attached to the

rough ER. Continue the tutorial to find out how the final handling

takes place.

The Golgi Apparatus is the department where all the finishing

touches are made to the products built on the assembly line. These

workers must be very meticulous when inspecting the products for

flaws. They may make minor adjustments or clean any additional

material. This would be the finishing and packaging department.

Lysosomes are an essential cell organelle produced by the Golgi

apparatus, which contains powerful digesting enzymes. In a factory,

their job would be the maintenance crew. Lysosomes are

responsible for breaking down and absorbing materials taken in by

the cell. Just as a maintenance worker would take apart old

machinery and replace it. If someone is able to sneak past security,

the lysosomes are able to catch them, and kick them out! They do

not have the most glamorous role, but they serve a vital role.

The Cytoskeleton maintains the cell shapes, just as supporting

beams, walls, ceilings, and floors would do. Numerous protein

fibers act as support structures.

Quiz Time!

What organelle prepares proteins for use or export?

A. Lysosomes

B. Golgi apparatus

C. Cytoskeleton

I’m sorry that choice was incorrect. Please click here to review

Well done! Please continue the tutorial

Power is a necessity for all factories to maneuver. Most factories have

power plants in which generators burn fuel to produce heat. The heat

is used to make steam, which is then used to make electricity.

Building proteins are the main function of cells, but in order for this to

operate; a cell must have an energy source in a form which the cell

can use. Mitochondria and Chloroplasts are responsible for

transforming one form of energy into another. This would be the

power plant of the factory.

Now it is time for your quiz. Please refer to the following link: Quiz