Cell Specialization and Adaptations

Vocabulary flashcards covering cell specialization, stem cells, and adaptations for surface area to volume ratios.

Zygote

The result of the fusion of male and female gametes, undergoing mitosis to form undifferentiated stem cells.

Differentiation

The transition from unspecialized stem cells into cells with particular structures and functions.

Stem Cell Niche

Locations with stem cells that provide environments for stem cell regeneration and differentiation.

Totipotent

Cells in the zygote that can become any cell type.

Pluripotent

Inner mass of cells in the blastocyst that develop into many, but not all, cell types.

Multipotent

Stem cells that can only develop into a few different cell types.

Sperm

Long and narrow cell with a tail, specialized for motility.

Egg

Large and round cell, containing nutrients and genetic material.

Red Blood Cells

Concave shape that enables efficient oxygen carrying capacity

Microvilli

Increase surface area to volume ratio.

Type I Pneumocytes

Thin, almost flat cells in alveoli with a high surface area to volume ratio, facilitating gas exchange.

Type II Pneumocytes

Cube-shaped cells in alveoli that produce surfactant to moisturize alveoli and prevent collapse.

Striated Muscle Fibres

Muscle fibers that are long and multinucleated, shortening immensely to create pulling force.

Cardiac Muscle Cells

Shorter, branched muscle cells with one nucleus, connected through intercalated discs for unison contraction.

Helical Mitochondria

Organelle in sperm that produces ATP for swimming.

Acrosome

Structure in the head of sperm that contains enzymes to break through the egg.

Corona Radiata

Outer layer of the egg composed of leftover follicle cells.

Zona Pellucida

Layer of the egg that hardens upon contact with cortical granules, preventing further fertilization.

Cortical Granules

Cytoplasmic structures in the egg that are released upon sperm fusion to harden the zona pellucida.