Specialised Animal Cells and Differentiation

Vocabulary flashcards covering cell differentiation and the adaptations of specialised animal cells, including sperm cells, nerve cells, and muscle cells.

Specialised animal cells

Cells that have adaptations that help them carry out their particular function.

Differentiation

The process by which cells become specialised.

Sperm cell

A specialised cell that joins with an ovum (egg cell) during fertilisation and contains half the genetic material in the nucleus.

Acrosomes

Structures containing enzymes in the head of a sperm cell that allow them to digest the outer layer of the ovum.

Mitochondria (in sperm cells)

Organelles that provide energy for swimming.

Long tail (in sperm cells)

An adaptation that allows the sperm cell to swim to the ovum.

Nerve cells

Cells that carry electrical impulses from one part of the body to the other.

Synapses

Junctions that allow impulses to pass from one nerve cell to another.

Dendrites

Branching extensions of nerve cells that increase surface area.

Muscle cells

Cells that contract and contain lots of mitochondria to provide energy.