Cell Analogy Assignment

An analogy is a comparison between two things that are similar in some respects, but otherwise
different. Analogies are useful when trying to explain something we are unfamiliar with by
comparing it to something we have a lot of experience with or understand already.
With your knowledge of the cell organelles and a little bit of creativity, you will create a common
theme that connects all of your organelle analogies. For example, you could make an analogy
between a cell and a city, a school, a house, or a factory. In this case different organelles would
be compared to different parts of the city, school, house, or factory with similar functions.
Example using the theme of a human body: The nucleus is like a brain because it controls and
coordinates the activities of the whole cell in the same way the brain controls and coordinates the
activities of the body.
Instructions:
1. Decide on a theme that you can connect the organelles with.
2. Decide on the specific person, place or thing that each organelle could be compared to.
3. Briefly describe why each organelle is compared to what you chose. This should be
in full sentences. Your analogy statements could be phrased like this:
The (organelle) is like a/an (object) because it (function of the organelle in the
cell) in the same way the (object) (function of the object).
4. Turn in: the group member who created the original doc will attach it to their
assignment on google classroom and turn it in. Before marking it as done everyone will
need to complete the Peer evaluation form on that is attached to the assignment.
Everyone will then need to mark as done on the assignment on google classroom.

**This chart might help you organize your thoughts to complete the sentences.
THEME: The cell is like a ___________________________________ .
Organelle

Function of the Organelle

Object

Function of the Object

Grading Rubric Cell Organelle Analogy Project

Your whole group will be given the same grade based off of the following rubric. After completing the
assignment each group member will evaluate the rest of the team members using the Peer evaluation form
that has been attached to each individuals assignment.
Category

Excellent

Good

Average

Below
Average

Poor

Analogy
makes sense.
All organelles
are included.
The majority
of descriptions
are clear, and
complete.
8

Analogy makes
sense. All
organelles are
included. The
majority of
descriptions are
clear and short.
6

Analogy
makes sense.
At least 5
organelles are
included.
Descriptions
are clear and
complete.
4

Analogy makes
sense. Less
than 5
organelles are
included.
Descriptions
are clear and
complete.
2

Includes all
required
organelles. All
functions are
correct.
10

Missing 1
requirement
from
Excellent.
8

Missing 2
requirements
from Excellent.
6

Missing 3
requirements
from
Excellent.
4

Missing more
than 3
requirements
from Excellent.
2

N/A

Your Analogy
is creative,
and not the
same as an
example given
in class.
4

Your Analogy
has the same
theme as an
example given
in class but uses
mostly different
comparisons.
3

Your analogy
has the same
theme as the
example given
in class and
has some
different
comparisons
2

Your analogy
has little to no
changes from
the example
given in class.
1

Accuracy and Analogy makes

sense. All
Clarity of
organelles
are
Analogy
(10 pts)

Accuracy of
Organelle
Description
(10 pts)
Creativity
(4 pts)

included.
Descriptions
are clear and
complete.
10

Total Score: ______/24

+Peer Evaluation Mark: _____/9