Start from the bottom. Thanks!
--Not Mr. Kelley
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, September 9, 1984
Day 7: The End.
Dear friend, it has been an immense pleasure to travel with you this week. I hope your knowledge of the plant cell has expanded and that you will be interested in finding out more. Obviously, this was a very brief tour, with me merely skimming over the finer points. The cell is so complex that it took centuries of meticulous work in order for it to become the less abstract structure that it is today. The job isn't finished, though. As scientists, we are always discovering new things. If we had discovered everything there is to know about cells, then we would both be out of a job! Luckily for us, cells are living, thus always changing.
Again, I thank you for partaking on this journey with me.
Most sincerely,
--Mr. Kelley Henry Wilkenshire Oswald Percival Merlin Snape Grangerfieldeson
Again, I thank you for partaking on this journey with me.
Most sincerely,
--Mr. Kelley Henry Wilkenshire Oswald Percival Merlin Snape Grangerfieldeson
Saturday, September 8, 1984
Day 6: You Won't Find This ER in a Hospital!
2:29 PM
Right now, we're at the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This structure, which somewhat resembles the Golgi apparatus, its main function is packaging proteins. It works along the ribosomes to create the proteins; ribosomes creating amino acid chains. It's like the cell has its own FedEx!
The smooth ER acts as a storage place. It is important in the creation and storage of steroids especially. It also stores ions. Think of it as a garage, only instead of a plethora of objects inside, it's only a certain type.
5:30 PM
Our journey through the cell is complete. We have just exited the cell wall and are now in our natural habitat. Everything feels oddly huge, but I suppose it is to be expected after being inside of an object that is seen under a microscope for a week. I thank you for joining me on this adventure!
Yours,
--Mr. Kelley
Because these are the last two structures of our journey and they are rather close together in this cell, I decided to start late today. I needed a lie-in, anyway. *smirk*
Right now, we're at the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This structure, which somewhat resembles the Golgi apparatus, its main function is packaging proteins. It works along the ribosomes to create the proteins; ribosomes creating amino acid chains. It's like the cell has its own FedEx!
The smooth ER acts as a storage place. It is important in the creation and storage of steroids especially. It also stores ions. Think of it as a garage, only instead of a plethora of objects inside, it's only a certain type.
5:30 PM
Our journey through the cell is complete. We have just exited the cell wall and are now in our natural habitat. Everything feels oddly huge, but I suppose it is to be expected after being inside of an object that is seen under a microscope for a week. I thank you for joining me on this adventure!
Yours,
--Mr. Kelley
Friday, September 7, 1984
Day 5: The Brain
10:57 AM
The most important parts of the cell are coming up. The nuclear membrane, the nucleus, and the nucleolus, which hold the chromosomes. The nuclear membrane's only function is to protect the nucleus. This is very important because otherwise, the nucleus would be exposed to things that might harm it. I refer to it as bubble wrap because of its protection.
The nucleus runs the cell; it sends out instructions to each part, giving out duties. I call it Boss, because, well, it is! The Prime Minister, if you will. All the time, 24/7, it is always busy, running the cell smoothly. Whether an organsim has one cell, or one million, the nucleus is tres important.
Chromosomes come in two forms, X and Y. Female organisms have two X chromosomes (XX), and males have one of each (XY). It is impossible to have two Y chromosomes (YY? I think not). They hold the organism's DNA, the genetic code. We don't think of plants as having genders, but they have chromosomes, so they do. This is the SS on your ID card.
The most important parts of the cell are coming up. The nuclear membrane, the nucleus, and the nucleolus, which hold the chromosomes. The nuclear membrane's only function is to protect the nucleus. This is very important because otherwise, the nucleus would be exposed to things that might harm it. I refer to it as bubble wrap because of its protection.
The nucleus runs the cell; it sends out instructions to each part, giving out duties. I call it Boss, because, well, it is! The Prime Minister, if you will. All the time, 24/7, it is always busy, running the cell smoothly. Whether an organsim has one cell, or one million, the nucleus is tres important.The nucleolus, located inside the nucleus, holds the important information about the organism:
DNA, chromosomes. It's like an ID card for the organism with a Social Security number on it. Just as no SS number is the same as anyone elses, neither is your DNA.
DNA, chromosomes. It's like an ID card for the organism with a Social Security number on it. Just as no SS number is the same as anyone elses, neither is your DNA.
Chromosomes come in two forms, X and Y. Female organisms have two X chromosomes (XX), and males have one of each (XY). It is impossible to have two Y chromosomes (YY? I think not). They hold the organism's DNA, the genetic code. We don't think of plants as having genders, but they have chromosomes, so they do. This is the SS on your ID card.Our journey is near it's end! Until tomorrow!
Regards,
--Mr. Kelley
Regards,
--Mr. Kelley
Thursday, September 6, 1984
Day 4: Waste is Not a Waste!
8:09 AM
We're arriving at the vacuole now, the largest structure inside the cell. This oval monstrosity processes and gets rid of waste inside the cell. It also regulates the amount of water within. This is especially important because if it has too little water, it will not function properly; but on the other hand, too much water could cause the cell to burst, killing it. Hopefully, it won't happen 
whilst we are in it! In any case, it will take all day to explore its functions due to the sheer size of it.
whilst we are in it! In any case, it will take all day to explore its functions due to the sheer size of it.There are two ways to think of a vacuole because it has two different functions. One way is to think of it as a waste treatment plant that processes water from houses. Another is to think of a sponge. It absorbs water, taking it away from its original starting point. It can also return the water, or even add more to the starting place.
How creative can you get with a waste treatment mechanism and water regulator. It's a Cell Toilet.
Well, I must be off. We're about to disembark from the ship to explore!
Always,
--Mr. Kelley
Wednesday, September 5, 1984
Day 3: Delving Deeper
11:54 AMWe've just passed the chloroplasts of the cell, and what a delightful mechanism they are. They are the reason that plants are green. You have, of course, heard of pigment , which colors our skin. This is the parallel of our pigment, but with plants. Chloroplasts make up the pigment in plants, and lots of them. For some reason, the name Crayola comes to mind upon viewing them. Chloroplasts are located throughout the cell.
12:07 PM 
We are now approaching the Golgi apparatus. It is a hollowed structure with modification enzymes in it. It's main purpose is working with the endoplasmic reticulum packaging and distributing proteins. Call it the Pony Express, only without mail! Like any postal system, it delivers.
We are now approaching the Golgi apparatus. It is a hollowed structure with modification enzymes in it. It's main purpose is working with the endoplasmic reticulum packaging and distributing proteins. Call it the Pony Express, only without mail! Like any postal system, it delivers.
12:32 PMWe've reached my favorite part of the cell, the mitochondria. Think of this bean-shaped structure as an electrical power plant, which sends energy to homes in its district. The mitochondria has a relatively similar job: simply put, it gives the cell energy. The inside is a great squiggle filled with the energy-giving substance. I call it the MIGHTYchondria because it has to be powerful in order to give all that energy for the cell to do all of its endless tasks.
We'll be drifting along the cytoplasm for the rest of the day. Until tomorrow!
Cordially,
--Mr. Kelley
--Mr. Kelley
Tuesday, September 4, 1984
Day 2: Inside the Cell
7:01 AM
According to the map, we're approaching the cytoskeleton. Like the human skeleton, the cytoskeleton, along with the cell wall, maintains the cell's shape. We're crossing over that now and tomorrow we are going to explore the nucleus and the surrounding area.
It's an early start for us today! We have much to explore. Right now, I'm currently floating along in another jelly-like substance. According to the map, I'm in the cytoplasm! Below is a sample of cytoplasm, the stuff that holds the organelles of the cell together. The cell parts just float around in the cytoplasm...and so do I! If the walls of a bathtub could be compared to a cell wall, and a rubber ducky a cell organelle, then the water would be the cytoplasm.
Oh, wow! To my right, I see strange objects floating around. One appears to be creating proteins while the other is "eating" the old ones!
8:43 AM
I've discovered that the object making the proteins is called a ribosome and the ones doing the opposite are lysosomes. By the lysosomes eating the proteins, it keeps the cell in check concerning 
protein count. The ribosomes creating proteins completes the balance, much like the life cycle. Babies are born; meanwhile, people die. A rather morbid comparison, but it serves its purpose.
protein count. The ribosomes creating proteins completes the balance, much like the life cycle. Babies are born; meanwhile, people die. A rather morbid comparison, but it serves its purpose.
According to the map, we're approaching the cytoskeleton. Like the human skeleton, the cytoskeleton, along with the cell wall, maintains the cell's shape. We're crossing over that now and tomorrow we are going to explore the nucleus and the surrounding area.See you tomorrow!
Signing off,
--Mr. Kelley
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
