The US Government Is A Plant Cell: Connecting Physical Sciences With Social Sciences
Srinika Kanneganti
Understanding one’s local or state government is challenging as is, making the federal government even more difficult to comprehend. From the 3 branches to all of the organizational bodies associated with each branch, and the various departments, wrapping one’s head around the US government is a complex task. However, physical scientists can easily understand this concept that comes easily to social scientists by comparing the federal government to a plant cell and viewing each component of the US government as an organelle in a plant cell.
The cell wall represents the White House; just as a cell wall serves as the outermost boundary of the cell (the cell wall surrounds the cell membrane), the White House is the geographic boundary of the federal government. While it can be argued that a few government agencies operate outside of the cell wall, the White House is considered the home of all federal government officials. Additionally, the cell wall protects the cell from external damage, just as the White House protects government officials by serving as a barrier between them and angry protesters.
The cell membrane represents the Secret Service; just as cell membranes are semi-permeable—meaning that they only allow specific molecules, substances, and fluids to enter the cell—the Secret Service carefully monitors anyone attempting to approach government officials, especially the POTUS, and only permits a few individuals to do so. Additionally, the cell membrane represents a protective border between the cell and the cell wall, just as the Secret Service provides additional, more personalized protection to government officials, going beyond the protection provided by the White House, which is the cell wall.
The peroxisome represents the presidential cabinet. The peroxisome is the home of all things metabolic; from overseeing both anabolic (or polymerization, also known as dehydration synthesis) and catabolic (or hydrolysis) reactions, to assisting with lipid synthesis, the peroxisome serves as the site for many chemical reactions that allow the cell to maintain homeostasis. In the same way that the peroxisome assists other cellular components while helping with cell signaling and immune responses, the presidential cabinet provides support to the POTUS and other agencies of the federal government while maintaining order among the 3 branches.
The mitochondrion represents the federal budget. Both biology enthusiasts and pop culture lovers know that the mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the cell, as mitochondria are the sites of cellular respiration, the process by which the cell converts glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide and water. Without its mitochondria, the cell would lack energy, leading it to shut down, which mirrors how several months ago, the federal government was in a lengthy shutdown due to its inability to finalize a budget for the coming fiscal year. Without the mitochondrion, the cell would lack the energy it needs, just as how without its budget, the federal government lacks the financial order it needs to operate.
The golgi apparatus represents the Supreme Court; the Golgi apparatus processes the proteins that vesicles in the rough endoplasmic reticulum transport, later carrying most of these proteins to the cell membrane for secretion, just as SCOTUS examines the legislation created and proposed by Congress before determining whether it is constitutional. If the proposed legislation is determined to be constitutional by the SCOTUS, it will allow its ratification, just as the golgi apparatus will allow the proteins it processes to be carried to the cell membrane for secretion, which is considered enforcement of the legislation that has newly been ratified.
The nucleus represents the Constitution; the nucleus is composed of chromatin, the nuclear envelope, and the nucleolus, which form the nucleus, one of the most important cellular components due to housing the DNA, chromosomes, and genetic material of the cell. Without the nucleus, the cell would be unable to reproduce, just as without the Constitution, the federal government would have no principles, philosophies, and political ideals to guide its operations. Additionally, just as the nucleus is an umbrella term for 3 smaller components, the Constitution is composed of 3 parts: a preamble, articles, and amendments.
The rough endoplasmic reticulum represents the president; the rough endoplasmic reticulum is the home of ribosomes, which are attached to this key organelle, and its main purpose is to synthesize proteins that are later transported to the Golgi apparatus. Similarly, the POTUS creates, proposes, and ratifies legislative policies, which are then taken to the SCOTUS, which evaluates the constitutionality of the legislative policies suggested by the POTUS. Ultimately, the rough endoplasmic reticulum has the greatest control over the proteins (policies) created by the cell (federal government), just as how the president has the most power over the bills signed into legislation.
The smooth endoplasmic reticulum represents the US Military; from synthesizing lipids, to storing calcium ions (only a specific kind of smooth endoplasmic reticulum can complete this), the smooth endoplasmic reticulum has several functions, and it is formed by a branched network of tubular membranes, just as how the US Military is comprised of 6 branches (the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard) that each have their own unique purpose and function. Just as the smooth endoplasmic reticulum supports the cell, the US Military supports the American public.
The ribosome represents Congress; the ribosome is the primary site of protein synthesis, just as how the COTUS is in charge of developing legislation. Cells are most known for developing biomolecules, most notably proteins, that are used by other body parts of organisms to survive, just as how the federal government is most known for developing legislation that provides services, funding, and consequences to Americans. Following this logic, since proteins represent legislation, as proteins are synthesized in ribosomes, the ribosome must represent the COTUS, which proposes and ratifies policies.
The cytoskeleton represents the civically engaged youth who volunteer with the federal government; the cytoskeleton is composed of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments, which work to provide support for the cell’s structure, movement, and division, just as how youth who are passionate about making a positive political impact work to support the federal government by completing legislative fellowships with White House officials. The cytoskeleton provides support for the cell’s operations and allows it to complete its functions, just as how civically engaged youth research all kinds of policies (technological, economic, educational, etc) to support the federal government in its daily affairs.
The chloroplast represents the numerous legislative staff that assist White House officials; the chloroplast is the site of photosynthesis, and it produces various energy sources for the cell. On a daily basis, plants perform photosynthesis, during which they produce glucose that energizes them and enables them to carry out the processes necessary for survival. Chloroplasts are instrumental to the success of the cell, just as researchers and executive assistants working for government officials are essential to keeping the federal government running; without their support, our officials would lack the information they need to make major decisions.
The vacuole represents the House of Representatives; the vacuole has several functions, including transportation, the excretion of excess water, and support for the cell. The vacuole is best known for its sheer size, as the vacuole alone occupies the majority of the cell's volume. Similarly, the House of Representatives is the largest key component of the federal government, as it is home to around 435 Congressional districts and their corresponding representatives. Just as the vacuole has various functions, members of the House of Representatives have several functions and corresponding responsibilities.
The vesicle represents the Senate; the vesicle is a very small vacuole whose function is to transport materials around the cell. Similarly, the Senate is a much smaller version of the House of Representatives, as while the House of Representatives has nearly 435 Congresspeople appointed by a proportional representation system that allocates representatives to states according to their population, the Senate is composed of 100 Senators, with each state being assigned 2 Senators. Thus, the Senate can be considered a smaller, simpler version of the House of Representatives, just as vesicles are like smaller, simpler versions of vacuoles.
The amyloplast represents the US Treasury; just as the amyloplast helps plants manage the starch they produce and ensure that it is properly stored for later use, the US Treasury works to manage American fiscal policy while storing banknotes. Amyloplasts help cells by storing an essential resource for them to use later, mirroring how the US Treasury stores money and cash, a key resource that the government is always using. Without the amyloplast, the cell would be unable to manage its starch, just as how without the US Treasury’s support, the government would deteriorate financially.
The plasmodesma represents the Secretary of Press; the plasmodesma allows connection between various organelles, ensuring that cellular signals are both sent and received, all while bolstering communication within the cell, mirroring how the Secretary of Press is in charge of communication nationwide and has the crucial responsibility of ensuring that communication is facilitated between the many organizations of the federal government and the American people. Additionally, plasmodesmata manage cellular channels, just as the Secretary of Press manages news channels and the kinds of media the American people can access.
The cytoplasm represents the many departments of the US government; the cytoplasm is essential to the survival of the cell, as without this semi-fluid substance that surrounds the organelles in the cells, the cell simply would not be able to function, as the cytoplasm is the fluid glue that holds the cell together. Additionally, while the cytoplasm has a clear purpose, its functions vary, and it resembles a jack-of-all-trades. Similarly, without the various government departments, the federal government would lack the support it needs to be a multifaceted agency that serves the American people, and as there are several kinds of departments, they are considered to be jacks of all trades.
Image credit: Britannica
Citations
B. Philip Bigler. “White House | History, Location, & Facts.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 30 Jan. 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/White-House-Washington-DC.
Allott, Andrew, and David Mindorff. Biology: Oxford IB Diploma Programme Course Companion. Oxford University Press, 2023.