What is a good way to remember the different parts of a cell?
Answers
First piece – Write it right: One of the easiest ways to memorize anything is to write it down. While we may try to read and memorize diligently, our eyes and mind are much more prone to distraction. Hence it is always worth our while to write down things that are difficult to keep in memory. Muscles have their own memory. That is why we can recall our age-old passwords when we put our hands to the keyboard!
Second piece – A Picture is worth a thousand words: This saying is so true especially when attempting to learn complex structures in science. What we see makes a greater impression that what we cannot. This is the reason why we stay glued to the television and computer, unable to tear our eyes away from the moving pictures that tell a story of their own! So draw (even a rough sketch will do) the structure of the cells. Make the diagram big and clear so that you can differentiate the parts and label them neatly.
cell pic
Third piece – Compare and Contrast: What do we do when we want to buy anything? We generally google the features of the item and then compare it with other similar products in the market to get an idea of the distinguishing features. Same works for memorizing the cell structures as well. When you draw the diagrams of both the cells, draw it side-by-side to make a comparison. This helps the brain to remember and retain which parts are unique to which cell.
Fourth piece – Memory recall: This is the most significant of all. Logical thinking by being able to recall to memory the basics of the science. When we compare, it should be done in line with the basics. For instance what does any cell have in common?
Nucleus: This is the control center that contains all the genetic material required for reproduction of the cell. We can consider this similar to a human heart. Without the heart we would not be who we are.
Mitochondria: This is the powerhouse of the cell, where matter gets converted to energy. In other words, it does the function of the liver in our body.
Cytoplasm: This is the filling layer that is similar to a jelly where enzymes react chemically in order to keep the cell alive. While the heart and liver are essential, without the brain, we cannot be alive and Cytoplasm is similar to our brains.
Cell membrane: This is like the first layer of skin covering the muscles in our body shielding it from outside force. Same is the function of the cell membrane. It is the skin around the cell that gives it, its shape.