Cell Analogy to Hospitals By: Vickie Le 4th Hr Oct. 16, 2015

Ribosomes Tiny, dark bodies made of proteins and ribosomal RNA that manufacture proteins that function in the cytoplasm. Why? Ribosomes are similar to the actions of doctors. Doctors work to take care of their patients and send them off healthy like ribosomes manufacturing proteins that would be sent off to the cytoplasm.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? Proteins would not be created and the cell will eventually fall into chaos because of the lack of ribosomes creating proteins.

Plasma Membrane Encloses and protects the cell from outer surroundings. It selects needed substances like oxygen and nutrients into the cell while gets rid of wastes from the interior of the cell. Why? The plasma membrane is analogous to how a hospital functions. Like how the plasma membrane acts a selective barrier, the hospital welcomes sick patients inside and gets rid of healthy patients.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? No protective barrier would lead to the constant moving of materials in and out of the cell and the cell won’t be able to protect itself from outside surroundings. Leading to disorganization and harm to the cell.

Chromosomes Located within the nucleus, it carries genetic info and is sent off to different organelles for functions to occur. Why? Chromosomes consist of chromatin which carry DNA and spreads the genetic info to other parts of the cell. Similarly, doctors spread information collected about patients to other doctors.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? No chromosomes means no genetic information available for the cell. If there's no genetic information, the cell organelles don’t know what functions to do and can’t maintain homeostasis of the cell.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum System of fluid filled tubules, canals that coil and twist through the cytoplasm with ribosomes attached like studs. It makes and exports proteins to different areas of the cell. Why? The Rough ER creates and moves proteins to different parts to the cell like how the beds of the hospital help transfer patients from one location in the hospital to another location in hospital.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? Because the necessary transfer of proteins can’t occur, it will lead to the destruction of organelles. The organism won’t able to function properly because of the lack of transferred proteins to different areas of the cells.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum System of fluid filled tubules, canals that are twisted and plays a role in lipid metabolism and detoxification of drugs and pesticides. Why? The smooth ER breaks down lipids and detoxifies toxic substances like how the IV bags in a hospital are used to help the rehydration of patients.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? If the smooth ER can no longer function, toxic substances and lipids will roam inside the cell and will interfere with the functions of other organelles, causing chaos.

Golgi Apparatus Flattened membranous sacs with tiny vesicles that are the “traffic director” for cellular proteins. It modifies and packages proteins. Secretary vesicles are made at it’s swollen ends. Why? The Golgi apparatus acts as the “traffic director” by modifying and packaging proteins in order to send them to other parts of the cell. Similarly, the nurses in a hospital makes sure their patients are ready for moving from one room to another depending on their condition.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? Proteins won’t be ready for use because it can’t be modified and packaged properly by the Golgi apparatus. The organism won’t be able to carry out the finalization of cellular proteins and use them.

Nucleus Consists of most of the genetic material in eukaryotic cells. Contains nucleoli and consists of nuclear pores for the transfer of materials. Why? Like how the nucleus holds all the genetic information of the cell and transfers the information out, the staff of the hospital all have medical knowledge and work to send info to other staff with orders needed to be done.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? The entire cell will no longer be able to survive because it has no more genetic material for the functions to occur and it may affect the nucleolus it protects within.

Nucleolus nucleolus Creates ribosomes and sends them throughout the cell through nuclear pores. The nucleolus creates ribosomes that will soon be either floating freely throughout the cell or being made into proteins. Like the nucleolus, the kitchen and restaurants of the hospital send cooked food and raw fruits to their patients.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? nucleolus What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? Ribosomes won’t be made and protein synthesis wouldn’t occur either. The cell wont be able to provide the organism necessary proteins.

Vesicle Transports materials and helps Golgi apparatus function. Why? Like the elevators of a hospital transferring patients and doctors from one floor to another conveniently, vesicles transport materials and help the Golgi apparatus work.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? The Golgi apparatus wouldn’t be able to do its function because of the need of transport vesicles. The transportation of materials would be more difficult without vesicles.

Vacuoles Vesicles found in plants that digests, storages, acts as a waste disposal, balances water, influences cell growth, and protects. Why? Vacuoles digests, storages, balances water, etc. like how the human body of patients work hard to improve the overall health of themselves.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? Functionless vacuoles would result in an unbalanced homeostasis of the plant cell. The cell will eventually not be able to carry out functions regularly.

Lysosomes Different sized membranous “bags” that are filled with digestive enzymes. It works to digest worn out/non-usuable cell structures and unnecessary substances in the cell. Why? Lysosomes digest no longer needed substances and structures like how the trash cans of a hospital gets rid of waste used by patients and staff.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? The cell without lysosomes will result in wastes of old cell parts and unneeded substances inside the cell. The cell will have to withstand homeostasis with wastes freely moving in the cell.

Mitochondria Sausage-like organelles that continuously change shape. It supplies ATP and are the “powerhouses” of the cell. Mitochondria supply all the energy the cell needs to sustain life like how the generator of a hospital is needed for all the electricity used.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? The energy from the mitochondria will no longer be supplied and will result in the entire cell destructed because energy is necessary for the organelles to function.

Chloroplasts Plays an important part in photosynthesis by capturing light and transferring it to useable energy by the cell. Why? Chloroplasts act in photosynthesis and create energy for plant cells like how food for a patient goes through the digestive system and helps the patients get useable energy.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? Photosynthesis would not be able to occur and the plant will eventually wither and die because no energy is being provided to the plant.

Cytoskeleton Network of protein structures throughout cytoplasm that acts as the “bones and muscles” of the cell. It shapes the cell provides support to other organelles and provides machinery for functions. Why? The cytoskeleton shapes and provides support for other organelles and provides the machinery for functions like how the building of the hospital promotes good health of the patients by providing spacious rooms.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? Some functions wont be carried out by organelles because the cytoskeleton can no longer provide the necessary machinery. The overall structure of the cell will be chaotic because of lack of organization and support.

Cytosol Apart of the inner cytoplasm that holds the organelles in the cell in place and allows easy transfer of materials. The cytosol of a cell holds all the organelles and structures together while allowing necessary substances filter through. Similarly, the spacious building of the spacious rooms of the hospital provide a cozy and safe environments with necessary medical equipment.

What would happen if this organelle is not functioning? The other organelles won’t be held in place and this may cause the cluttering and clashing of the organelles together. The functions of the cell will have more difficulty of being organized and having materials easily going through.