Specialised cells

Specialised cell

A cell that has a structure adapted to perform a specific function in an organism.

Red blood cell

A specialised cell that carries oxygen around the body; it has no nucleus and contains haemoglobin.

Red blood cell adaptation (biconcave shape)

Increases surface area for oxygen absorption and allows flexibility to pass through narrow capillaries.

Red blood cell adaptation (no nucleus)

Maximizes space for haemoglobin to carry oxygen.

Sperm cell

A specialised cell designed for reproduction; it has a tail for swimming and many mitochondria for energy.

Sperm cell adaptation (flagellum)

Tail that enables swimming to reach the egg.

Sperm cell adaptation (mitochondria)

Provides energy required for movement.

Nerve cell (neuron)

A specialised cell that transmits electrical impulses; it has long extensions called axons and dendrites.

Nerve cell adaptation (axon)

Long extension that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons or muscles.

Nerve cell adaptation (myelin sheath)

Insulating layer around the axon that speeds up impulse transmission.

Nerve cell adaptation (dendrites)

Branched extensions that receive signals from other neurons.

Root hair cell

A plant cell with a large surface area due to hair-like projections to absorb water and minerals from soil.

Root hair cell adaptation (root hairs)

Long projections that increase surface area for water and mineral absorption.

Palisade cell

A plant cell found in leaves, packed with chloroplasts to carry out photosynthesis efficiently.

Palisade cell adaptation (chloroplasts)

Contains many chloroplasts to maximize photosynthesis.

Palisade cell adaptation (rectangular shape)

Allows cells to be packed closely together to absorb more light.

Ciliated epithelial cell

A cell with tiny hair-like structures (cilia) that move mucus and trapped particles out of the lungs.

Ciliated epithelial cell adaptation (cilia)

Hair-like structures that move mucus and trapped particles out of the lungs.

Ciliated epithelial cell adaptation (thin elongated shape)

Allows lining of airways and efficient movement of mucus.

Xylem vessel

A plant cell that transports water; hollow and strengthened with lignin.

Xylem vessel adaptation (hollow tubes)

Allows unimpeded water flow through the plant.

Xylem vessel adaptation (lignin)

Strengthens the vessel walls and prevents collapse.

Phloem cell

A plant cell that transports sugars; has sieve plates for flow between cells.

Phloem cell adaptation (sieve plates)

Allows movement of sugars and nutrients between cells.

Phloem cell adaptation (companion cells)

Provide energy for active transport of substances.

Muscle cell

A specialised cell that contracts to cause movement.

Muscle cell adaptation (many mitochondria)

Provides energy for contraction.

Muscle cell adaptation (protein filaments)

Allows contraction and relaxation for movement.

Cell differentiation

The process by which a cell changes to become specialised for a specific function.

Diffusion

The movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water molecules through a partially permeable membrane.

Active transport

The movement of substances against a concentration gradient using energy.