Tyrone is explaining the main parts of animal cells to his lab partner who was absent on the day that this topic was covered in class. He begins by talking about the cell membrane, which he tells his partner to think about like the "skin" of the cell.
The cell membrane acts as a barrier that protects the internal components of the cell, while also regulating what enters and exits, much like how skin protects the body and regulates what enters or leaves it.
Tyrone goes on to explain that within the cell membrane, there are various organelles, each with specific functions. For instance, he mentions the nucleus, which acts like the "control center" of the cell because it contains the DNA and coordinates activities like growth and reproduction. He also talks about mitochondria, often referred to as the "powerhouses" of the cell, because they produce energy through cellular respiration.
Overall, Tyrone emphasizes that just as different systems in a body work together to maintain health and function, the organelles within an animal cell work together to keep the cell functioning properly.