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Cells Are Like Cities [Simple Version]

Cells are like cities [Simple version]

By: The Cell City team (The Open University)

Posted under Across the Sciences, Biology, Natural History, Chemistry

From the nucleus to the cell membrane - we explore the similarities between a cell's structure and a city. (If you have a slower computer or connection, or a device without Flash, choose this version)

16 May

2002

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Cell membrane: The cell's city wall ElkeWetzig under CC-BY-SA licence

Why is a cell's membrane similar to a city wall? Read more : Cell membrane: The cell's city wall

Cytoskeleton: The cell city's transport system currybet under CC-BY-SA licence

Why is a cell's cytoskeleton similar to a city's transport system? Read more : Cytoskeleton: The cell city's transport system

Cytosol: The cell city's streets Chapendra under CC-BY-NC licence

Why is a cell's cytosol similar to a city's streets? Read more : Cytosol: The cell city's streets

Lysosomes: The cell city's recycling plant darapo under CC-BY-NC-ND licence

Why are a cell's lysosomes similar to a city's recycling plant? Read more : Lysosomes: The cell city's recycling plant

Mitochondria: The cell city's powerstation abroadjz under CC-BY-NC-ND licence

Why are a cell's mitochondria similar to a city's powerstation? Read more : Mitochondria: The cell city's powerstation

Nucleus: The cell city's library By annethelibrarian via Flickr under Creative Commons licence

Why is a cell's nucleus similar to a city's library or city hall? Read more : Nucleus: The cell city's library

Ribosome: The cell city's factories sveeta under CC-BY-NC licence

Why are a cell's ribosomes similar to a city's factories? Read more : Ribosome: The cell city's factories

Rough endoplasmic reticulum: The cell city's industrial park Mike Harris under CC-BY-SA licence

Why is a cell's rough endoplasmic reticulum similar to a city's industrial park? Read more : Rough endoplasmic reticulum: The cell city's industrial park

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About the author

The Cell City team (The Open University)

This Open University programme explored the similarities between cities and the cells in all our bodies. It was first shown in 2002.

More by The Cell City team:

Article: OU on the BBC: Cell City
From the huge to the microscopic - exploring cells from a city perspective.
Article: OU on the BBC: Cell City - Meet the Cell City scientists
Meet the scientists who explain the link between cities and the structure of our bodies
Article: Cell membrane: The cell's city wall
Why is a cell's membrane similar to a city wall?
Article: Cytoskeleton: The cell city's transport system
Why is a cell's cytoskeleton similar to a city's transport system?
Article: Cytosol: The cell city's streets
Why is a cell's cytosol similar to a city's streets?
Article: Lysosomes: The cell city's recycling plant
Why are a cell's lysosomes similar to a city's recycling plant?

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Article Information

Publication details

Originally published:

Thursday, 16th May 2002

Last Updated on:

Thursday, 16th May 2002

Copyright information
• Body text - Creative-Commons: The Open University

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