## Beach-Themed Cell Analogy | Cell Structure | Function | Beach Object | Why This Object? | |-----------------------|---------------------------------------------|------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | **Cell Membrane** | Controls what enters/leaves the cell | Lifeguard Stand Fence | The fence keeps people in/out of certain areas, just like the membrane controls entry/exit. | | **Nucleus** | Stores DNA; controls cell activities | Lifeguard Tower | The lifeguard directs activities and keeps things organized, like the nucleus controls the cell. | | **Cytoplasm** | Suspends organelles; site of reactions | Ocean Water | The water surrounds everything at the beach, just as cytoplasm fills the cell and holds organelles. | | **Mitochondria** | Produces energy | Snack Bar | The snack bar provides food (energy) to beachgoers, like mitochondria provide energy to the cell. | | **Ribosomes** | Makes proteins | Grill | The grill makes burgers/hot dogs (food), similar to ribosomes making proteins. | | **Endoplasmic Reticulum** | Transports materials | Boardwalk | The boardwalk moves people and items along the beach, like ER transports molecules. | | **Golgi Apparatus** | Packages and ships proteins/lipids | Shipping Hut | The hut sorts and sends out packages (like surfboards or towels), just as Golgi ships proteins. | | **Lysosome** | Breaks down waste | Trash Bin | The trash bin collects and breaks down garbage, like lysosomes digest See more