If Old Trafford Was A Cell
A Comparison
Old Trafford is a soccer stadium, home of Manchester United F.C.
If Old Trafford was a cell, we would find that many of the components of the stadium would resemble the parts of a cell in terms of their function. Let's explore the matter in more detail.
Every person and part of Old Trafford has a specific function, or role, to play.
So do the parts of the cell, which have specialized functions. If they don't all work together, chaos erupts. The cell will die. Man U will cease to exist. The horror!
Some specific examples:
Louis Van Gaal (the Coach) is like the Nucleus.
The nucleus of the cell directs all of the cell's activities by telling the other organelles what to do. Louis Van Gaal controls what happens on the pitch by instructing the players to do their jobs.
The pitch (field) is like the Cytoplasm in the cell.
The cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance which suspends all other organelles within the cell. Many of the organelles are free to move about the cytoplasm, just as the players move about the pitch.
The police in Old Trafford are just like the Lysosomes in the cell.
The function of lysosomes is to seek out invaders such as unwanted bacteria and to neutralize such threats. Similarly, the Police patrol the spectators and remove overzealous fans who might disrupt the smooth functioning of the stadium.
The Nucleus
The 'brain' of the cell.
Cytoplasm
The 'goo' which suspends all other organelles.
Lysosomes
The 'assassins' of unwanted invaders.
There are so many more comparisons! I could go on! I will, indeed, go on!
The outer walls are like the Cell Wall.
Just like the wall of a plant cell, Old Trafford's outer walls protect the stadium and help it to retain its shape. There are also controlled entry points which allow ticket holders admission into the stadium. In a cell, special 'gatekeeper' pores allow materials into and out of the cell.
The stairwells and walkways are just like the Endoplasmic Reticulum.
In the cell, the Endoplasmic Reticulum transports materials around the cell. In a similar fashion, spectators are free to move around designated areas in Old Trafford.
The Locker Room is just like the cell's vacuoles
The locker room is used for equipment storage. In a cell, vacuoles store nutrients and waste products.
The Cell Wall
Preserves the shape and protects the contents of plant cells.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Transports essential materials (such as proteins) throughout the cell.
Vacuole
Stores important materials, such as nutrients, and also some waste products.