Smart Workers the Cell Company Reading Selection

Parts of the Cell

1. Smart Workers the Cell Company
One day, while the nucleus got tired of his job, he decided
to take a short nap. But as he closed his eyes, he heard
noises of quarreling members of his cell company. The
cytoplasmic organelles such as the mitochondria,
lysosomes, ribosomes, Golgi bodies and endoplasmic
reticulum were complaining of their very tiring routine
works. They felt that administration headed by the nucleus
have given light duties for the cell membrane, cell wall and
chloroplast.

Nucleus: Let’s have an emergency meeting and let each
organelle express their sentiments.

Cytoplasm: Since all organelles are embedded to me, I
will act as mediator.
Each of them was given a chance to defend themselves.

Mitochondria: I help turn chemical energy stored in the
food into compounds that are more convenient for the cell
to use. I am the “powerhouse” of the company and without
me, there is no source of energy and cell organelles stop
their function.

Lysosomes: I am a cleanup crew, I have chemicals and
enzymes necessary for digesting certain materials in cells
that have outlined their usefulness. When these
substances build up to harmful amounts, cell company will
stop working properly and break down.

Golgi Bodies: Without me, lysosomes will not be here and
the accumulation of dead and damaged organelles and
molecules in the cell would ultimately result in the
company’s fall down. I’m responsible also to transporting,
modifying, and packaging proteins and lipids into vesicles
for delivery to targeted destinations.

Ribosomes: Even I’m just 25 nanometers in diameter, I’m
very active in making proteins. Without the production of
proteins, cells simply wouldn't be able to function properly.
They would not be able to repair cellular damage, make
hormones, maintain cell structure, and reproduce.

Endoplasmic Reticulum: Without me, each of us will not
receive any important materials. Proteins that are released
or exported from the cell are synthesized by us.
The nucleus carefully analyzed the explanations of each
organelles and gave the chance to the second group

Cell Membrane: I act like a door. Since you are working in
these company I always make sure that I know what enters
and leaves the company for your protection.

Cell Wall: I work with cell membrane in giving structure
and protecting the company. Without us cell may not have
enough support and collapse.

Chloroplast: I agree with Mitochondria but I’m the only
organelle that can trap the energy of sunlight and convert it
into chemical energy. I contain a pigment known as
chlorophyll, which captures the sun’s energy to transform
water and carbon dioxide into glucose for food. Without
me, plants would not be able to get their energy from the
sun and would cease to survive.

Cytoplasm: Now that we are all enlightened by our belief,
as a mediator I believed that all of you played an important
role for the company. But the decision still depends on our
director and manager, the Nucleus.

Nucleus: Do you still want to be part of my company?

All: Yes!

Nucleus: Are you still willing to do your job satisfactorily
and faithfully?

All: Yes!

Nucleus: And more importantly, can you live without live
without each other?
The answers are all yours…
The first group of organelles shamefully approach the other
group, hug each other and humbly accept their faults.
From then on, cell company’s organelles worked
harmoniously.




GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. Why are the organelles in the story complaining?
2. How important are these organelles in the company?
3. Why is lysosome considered as the clean-up crew for
the cell?
4. In what way is mitochondria similar to chloroplast? In
what way are they different?
5. If you were the nucleus, would you do the same thing?
6. if you will be given the chance to be one of the
organelles in the company, who do you want to be? Why?

EVALUATION
Match column A with column B. Write you’re the letter
of your answer on your paper.
A B
1. Nucleus
2. Mitochondrion
3. Cell Membrane
4. Lysosome
5. Golgi Body
6. Ribosomes
7. Endoplasmic Reticulum
8. Vacuoles
9. Cytoplasm
10. Chloroplast
a. Walls
b. Floor
c. Boss
d. Electricity or Generator
e. Canteen
f. Workers
g. Hallways
h. Packaging Department
i. Storage Room
j. Janitors