Cells are compared to restaurants, with various cell organelles analogous to parts of a restaurant. The cell membrane controls what enters and exits the cell, similar to how restaurant doors control access. The cytoplasm and restaurant floor both hold other structures in their proper places. The nucleus and restaurant manager alike control what happens inside their respective structures. Ribosomes and hamburger cooks both produce proteins. Mitochondria and burger drawers store energy sources until they are needed. The endoplasmic reticulum and kitchen produce various substances for internal use or export. Golgi bodies and restaurant counters both sort and transport items for internal use or export.

1. CELL =
RESTAURANT
Cells are made up of parts called
organelles that help the cell function
properly.
Restaurants also require several
parts in order to function
properly.

2. CELL MEMBRANE =
THE RESTAURANT DOORS
The Cell Membrane controls
what comes in and out of the
cell.
The Restaurant Doors let
people in and out of the
restaurant.

3. CYTOPLASM =
RESTAURANT FLOOR
The Cytoplasm is a jelly-like
substance that keeps all the
other organelles in their proper
place.
The Restaurant Floor holds
the tables, chairs, counters,
and kitchen equipment in
their proper place.

4. NUCLEUS =
RESTAURANT MANAGER
The Cell Nucleus controls
what happens inside of the
cell.
Restaurant managers control
what happens inside of their
restaurant.

5. RIBOSOMES =
HAMBURGER COOK
Ribosomes make proteins for
the cell.
The Hamburgers are made from
protein as well.

6. MITOCHONDRIA =
BURGER DRAWERS
The mitochondria store energy
obtained from food until other
organelles need it.
The burger drawers store food
until it is needed for a customer’s
order.

7. THE ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM =
RESTAURANT KITCHEN
The ER produces various
substances used within the cell
and throughout the body, such
as protein (rough ER) and fats
(smooth ER).
The Restaurant Kitchen also
produces several different products that
can be used inside the restaurant or
taken elsewhere through the drive-thru.

8. GOLGI BODIES/VESICLES =
FRONT COUNTER
The Golgi Bodies sort and transport
substances in vesicles that are used
within, or discarded outside of, the
cell.
Front Counter employees also
sort products into bags which are
used inside or taken out of the
restaurant.
Golgi
Body
Vesicles