Analogy Between Cell Organelles and Aircraft Parts
Cell organelles = aircraft parts
Introduction
A living cell and an aircraft have different shapes and functions, but the different components that make both structures have similar functions. Various parts of both a cell and an aircraft play different roles but depend on each other for the proper functioning of both structures and systems. The following discussion is about the similarities between the cell and an aircraft parts due to functionality.
Comparison
In a cell, the administrative center is the nucleus, which also serves as the information processing center (Micro.Magnet). This is analogous to the cockpit of the airplane, where all the information about the airplane are received, processed, and stored. The structure of the nucleus consists of chromatin, nucleolus, and the nuclear envelope. When the cell is resting, the chromatin is traceable, but contracts with cell activity. Such changes due to cell activity are similar to an airplane dashboard, where it changes with events. When there are no activities, and everything is peaceful, the dashboard is alive showing stability. With any approaching airplane or unidentified object, for example, the dashboard changes with the activity, showing distress. The cockpit and dashboard are only accessible by the pilot and protected by a door that separates the area from the rest of the airplane. Such division and security are similar to nucleus envelope which encloses the nucleus. The nucleus pores perform an identical role as the door to the cockpit, allowing pilots and some members and denying access to others. The nucleolus manufactures the ribosomes (Micro.Magnet). This can be compared to the black box where all information is stored and extracted when an airplane lands to check any irregularities.
With its two units, the endoplasmic reticulum forms an interconnected network of flattened cisternae. The endoplasmic reticulum, both rough and smooth, is created by cisternae interconnected to each other. The two types of reticulum share similar activities, similar to the two pilots found in an airplane, who share related activities during the journey the plane is taking. Mitochondrion produces the energy of the cell, just as the engine of an aircraft produces the power used by the aircraft when flying. The Lysosome is another membrane found in the cell. The function of Lysosome is breaking down biomolecules in the cell and digesting large structures. This is similar to a jet turbine that helps in digesting air by giving it space to expand after being heated by the fuel. The cytoskeleton provides the cell with its shape and resistance to deformation. This is similar to the fuselage, which gives the aircraft structure and stability. The cytoplasm is similar to the aircraft without the cockpit. Vesicles form naturally during the secretion. This is similar to water that is created and released by an aircraft after burning of fuel, which leaves water compounds that are released from the engine. The vacuole is the enclosed compartment containing water and molecules and is similar to fuel tanks which store jet fuel in an aircraft.
In conclusion, though not similar in shape, an aircraft has components that are similar in functions to different parts of a cell. Such similarity can help in remembering the functions of the cell.
Works Cited
Micro.Magnet. “The Cell Nucleus.” Micro.Magnet. https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/nucleus/nucleus.html. Accessed 19th March 2020.