Biology - examples of specialised cells

sperm cells

• specialised for reproduction

• to get male dna to female dna

• long tail + streamlined head to help it swim

• mitochondria to provide energy

• enzymes in its head to digest through the egg cell membrane

Nerve cells

• specialised for rapid signalling

• to carry electrical signals from one part of the body to another

• long to cover more distance

• branched connections to connect to other nerve cells to form a connection

muscle cells

• specialised for contraction

• to contract quickly

• long so they have space to contract

• lots of mitochondria to generate the energy needed for contraction

Root hair cells

• specialised to absorb minerals and water

• cells on the surface of plant roots

• gives the plant a larger surface area to effectively absorb water and minerals from the soil

Phloem and Xylem cells

• specialised for transporting substances

• form phloem and xylem tubes

• transport food and water around plants

• cells are long and joined end to end in order form the tubes

• phloem cells have very few subcellular structures

• xylem cells are hollow so that stuff can flow through them