How the Structure of a Biological Cell is like Hogwarts
So for my bio class, we had to create our own metaphor for a cell. Of course, being on a caffine/lack of sleep high, my inner goober-nerd came out. What transpired was the following:
So clearly a cell is like Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (the magical school in the HarryPotter series, for all you muggles). First of all, there’s the nucleus, Professor Dumbledore- or Professor Nucledore as he’s known in Cellwarts. Although he sits in his mystical office- the nuclear envelope- all day, his strategic wit and clear mind see that the actions of Cellwarts are performed as best as possible. His long, wise beard is made of chromatin, and when he feels split, he’ll take the memories from his beard- chromosomes- which will congeal in his pensive.
A good headmaster is nowhere without his faculty however- the endoplasmic reticulum. Some can be a little rough, others quite nice and smooth, but all get the job done teaching their dear students- protein- in their classrooms- or ribosomes.
In the Golgi Apparatus- excuse me, Great Hall- protein-students nourish themselves, grow, and change. After their schooling, it is here where their graduation ceremony takes place, then those dear protein-students go off to where ever they’re needed.
Of course, where would we be without Harry “Mitochondria” Potter, who helps the school out by using some wicked magic (food), he learned to keep everyone safe (usable form). His two best friends Ron Lysley and Hermoine Sosomer- his lysosome companions- take the junk Harry “Mitochondria” Potter and others in the school throw aside and find new meaning for them, aiding Harry in tough spots.
The cell membrane is a magical barrier that keeps dark forces like the evil Lord Toxinemort and his Ion Eaters out. (Unfortunately, during the Battle of Cellwarts, it was nearly destroyed).
Everything is wrapped together with the most powerful magic of all- the cytoskeleton- love!
Different types of organelles and their function (part 1)
Cell surface membrane-these are structures that surround cells and some organelles. Their main job is to provide a partially permeable barrier for the cell or organelle so that only certain molecules can pass through the membrane. (Extra information on cell surface membranes in a later post)
Nucleus-This is the biggest organelle in a cell and contains a nucleolus inside the nucleus. The nucleolus is spherical and dense. The nucleus is bound by two membranes with fluid in between them and there are holes called nuclear pores which go straight through the membranes. These allow molecules to enter the nucleus. The nucleus also contains chromatin; an extended form of chromosomes. The nucleus is important to the cell as it contains DNA in the form of chromosomes. The DNA controls the activities of the cell and is copied when the cell divides. The nucleolus within the nucleus produces ribosomes and RNA, which are used in protein synthesis.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-The ER consists of a series of flattened, membrane-bound sacs called cisternae. They are continuous with the outer nuclear membrane. There are two types of ER. There is the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum, which has ribosomes on the surface. The proteins made by the ribosome are transported by the rough ER through the cisternae. The cisternae usually modifies the protein made and ‘pinches’ off the proteins in vesicles, where is travels to the Golgi apparatus. The smooth ER is where lipids and steroids are synthesised.
Test Review (Bio Ch 6-8)
Chapter 6
- Prokaryotic Cells (“Simple” Cells)
- contains: cell wall, plasma membrane, DNA in cytoplasm, pili, ribosomes, flagella (some), no membrane-bound organelles - Eukaryotic Cells (“Complex” Cells)
- Animal Cells
+ contains: flagellum*, centrosome*, cytoskeleton (microfilaments, intermediate filaments, microtubules), peroxisome, mitochondrion, lysosome*, golgi apparatus, ribosomes, plasma membrane, smooth / rough endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus (nuclear envelope, nucleolus, chromatin) [* = not in plant cells]
- Plant Cells
+ contains: nucleus (nuclear envelope, nucleolus, chromatin), golgi apparatus, mitochondrion, peroxisome, plasma membrane, cell wall*, plasmodesmata*, chloroplast*, cytoskeleton (microfilaments, intermediate filaments, microtubules), central vacuole*, ribosomes, smooth / rough endoplasmic reticulum) [* = not in animal cells]
