Eukaryotic Cell Research Paper

A cell is the smallest functional unit of an organism, that has a structure. The parts of a cell vary in sizes, functions, and shapes. Cells are usually microscopic and are either eukaryotic or prokaryotic. Eukaryotic cells contain many organelles surrounded by a cellular membrane. Animal and plant cells are eukaryotic. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus and many of the other organelles found in eukaryotic cells. Single cell bacteria are an example of a prokaryotic cell. In our cell project we chose twenty seven organelles of an animal eukaryotic cell. Lastly, we chose to make a walled medieval city to represent our cell.

The first organelle that we will discuss is the cell membrane. A cell membrane is a biological membrane that isolates

the cell from the outer environment. The basic function of the cell membrane is to protect the cell from its surroundings. It controls what comes in and out of the cell. The cell membrane is represented by the outer walls in our medieval cell city. We chose to use the outer walls because the outer castle walls separates the city from the outside environment.

Two other important parts of the cell we chose are the cytoplasm and the cytosol. The cytoplasm is the cell substance between the cell membrane and the organelles. The main function of the cytoplasm is to hold the cell’s organelles. The fluid that fills the cell is called cytosol. It is mainly composed of water, salts, and proteins. The ground and atmosphere in our cell city represent the cytoplasm and cytosol. We chose to use the ground as the cytosol and cytoplasm because the ground holds the city’s buildings in place and allows the buildings to be sturdier.

An extremely important cell organ in an animal cell are the ribosomes. A cell is not a cell unless there is at least one ribosome in it. The ribosomes serve as the cell’s protein builders. They are responsible for building the proteins that the cell uses to perform many important cellular functions. Proteins are like tools and help the cell perform many tasks. Depending on the protein production level of a cell, there can be many or very few ribosomes in that cell. The blacksmiths, quarries, and sawmills represent ribosomes in our medieval cell city where tools are made.

One of the more important types of organelles in our edible cell model are the mitochondria. The mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell and generate most of the cell’s supply of energy. Mitochondria also control the cell cycle, growth, death, cellular differentiation, and signaling. Mitochondria are shown by the farms in our medieval cell city since farms provide food energy.

A fifth organ in our animal cell is the lysosomes. The lysosomes are responsible for the digestion of macromolecules. They contain multiple enzymes that break down macromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. The lysosomes help process waste products created in the cell during cellular respiration and other processes. Lysosomes are depicted by sewers in our city which help carry away waste.

Another important organelle in a cell are the golgi bodies, or the golgi apparatus. Golgi bodies receive proteins and lipids from the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Then it sorts them and packs the proteins and lipids in sealed droplets called vesicles for use where they are needed. Golgi bodies are portrayed by the post office in our medieval cell city..

A seventh organelle in an animal cell is the vacuole. Most animal cells have them, but they are not necessary. Vacuoles are storage bubbles inside the cell. They store food, a variety of nutrients, and waste products. Vacuoles are mostly made of water and amino acids. Vacuoles are represented by the market in our medieval cell city.

Another organelle in our cell is the nucleus. The nucleus is found at the very center of the cell. Its function is It helps control eating, movement, and reproduction. In other words, it acts as the brain of the cell. The nucleus is depicted by the castle in our project.

The next cell organ is the nuclear receptor.

It is found in the nucleus of the cell. The nuclear receptor works with other proteins to regulate the expression of specific genes in order to control the development and homeostasis, as well as the metabolism of the organism. It also recognizes and binds with specific molecules. In our model, the nuclear receptor is depicted by the queen.

A few other cell organs are the nuclear pores. They are also found in the nucleus. The nuclear pores are the tiny holes in the cell that regulate the passage of molecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm. They are represented by the castle guards.

The next organelle is the nucleolus. The main components of the nucleolus are RNA, DNA, and proteins. In an animal cell, the nucleolus produces subunits which then forms ribosomes. This organelle is portrayed by the king.

Another organelle in our project is the nuclear membrane or nuclear envelope, which is found on the outside of the nucleus. The function of this organelle is to hold the DNA and other genetic material inside the nucleus in order to protect it from surrounding substances. The nuclear membrane also regulates which substances can enter or exit the nucleus. In our model, the nuclear membrane is depicted by the moat surrounding the

castle.

One more organelle is the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

This organelle is involved in some protein production, as well as protein folding, quality control and despatch. It is called the rough endoplasmic reticulum because it is studded with ribosomes. This organelle is portrayed by the dirt/unpaved roads.

The next cell organ in our cell city project is the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The main function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum is to make cellular products, such as lipids and hormones. This organelle also distributes those products throughout the cell, as well as places in the organism. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum also releases and regulates calcium ions. It also processes toxins. It is called the smooth endoplasmic reticulum to distinguish it from the rough endoplasmic reticulum. In our project, it is depicted by the smooth/paved roads.

Another organelle that we chose was the vesicle. The majority contents of a vesicle is water. They control the internal water level and pressure of the cell’s environment. In our project, the food store rooms represents the

vesicle.

One more organelle we chose was the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton gives the nucleus its shape. Most organelles are attached to the cytoskeleton. In our model, the city walls are the cytoskeleton.

The next cell organ we chose was the centriole. The centriole helps the development of spindle fibers during cellular division. The centriole are also represented in pairs. In the model the hospital presents the centriole.

The centrosome plays an important role in an animal cell. Centrosomes are only found in eukaryotic cells. The centrosome is located in the cytoplasm. It contains two centrioles. The centrioles are positioned at right angles to each other. Centrosomes help align microtubules of proteins that need to be aligned during cell division. The centrosome also helps make parts of the cytoskeleton of a cell.

Actin Filaments are important in helping the cell hold its shape. They also move other organelles around. Stacks of bricks help represent the Actin Filaments.

The peroxisome breaks down chains of fatty acids which are then are made into smaller fatty acids. After that, it goes to the mitochondria and breaks down into carbon dioxide and water. It is shown as the catapults.

Microtubules move certain vessels around the cell and do some of the same roles as the cytoplasm. In the model they represent the servant houses.

The free ribosomes are composed of RNA and protein. Free ribosomes make proteins from all of the amino acids located in the cells. Two subunits make up a ribosome. There is a large subunit and a small subunit both of which are made by the nucleolus. The subunits are attached when proteins are synthesized between the ribosomes and RNA. This helps make sure the proteins are made correctly. Free ribosomes are often found floating in the cytosol while bound ribosomes are attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Microvilli are very tiny organelles that increase the surface area of the cell. A larger surface area makes it easier for material to move into and out of the cell through diffusion.

Cilia are slender structures that protrude from the surface of the cell. The length of one cilia is about 1-10 micrometers. The width is less than 1 micrometer. Cilia are similar to flagellum but are not as long and there are more of them.

Secretory vesicles are used by the cell to carry secretions from the Golgi Body to the surface of the cell for release and use in other cells in the body. The secretions include neurotransmitters, hormones and other macromolecules. ((NEED TO ADD MORE ABOUT THE OTHER SUBSTANCES)

Flagellum stick out from the surface of eukaryotic cells and help move liquids across the cell surface or for cells like the sperm cell, the flagellum allow the cell to move in a swimming like manner. Flagella are longer than cilia and look like little whips embedded in the cytoplasm.