specialised animal cells

what is a key property of red blood cells that allows them to carry more oxygen?

they have no nucleus, providing more space for haemoglobin

what shape are red blood cells and why is it beneficial?

they have a biconcave shape that increases surface area for faster oxygen diffusion

why are red blood cells small and flexible?

their small and flexible nature allows them to easily pass through tiny capillaries

what is the role of haemoglobin in red blood cells?

haemoglobin binds to oxygen to create oxyhaemoglobin for transport around the body

what is the function of a long axon in nerve cells?

it carries electrical signals over long distances

what do dendrites do in nerve cells?

they branch out to connect with other nerve cells

what role does the myelin sheath play in nerve cells?

it insulates the axon and speeds up signal transmission

what are synapses in the context of nerve cells?

they are junctions between nerve cells to pass signals

what is a distinguishing feature of muscle cells that facilitates contraction?

they have a long and cylindrical shape which allows contraction over a larger area

why do muscle cells contain a lot of mitochondria?

they provide energy for muscle contraction

what are contractile proteins in muscle cells and their function?

actin and myosin enable the muscle to contract and relax

what are striations in muscle cells and their purpose?

they are bands that help with coordination of contractions

what is the function of the tail (flagellum) in sperm cells?

it helps the sperm swim towards the egg

why do sperm cells have lots of mitochondria?

they provide energy for movement

what role do enzymes in the head of sperm cells play?

they help break into the egg during fertilisation

what is the importance of a streamlined shape for sperm cells?

it allows for fast and efficient swimming