Key Concepts in Biology: Specialized Cell Adaptations and Structures

The primary function of sperm cells is to carry __________ to the female egg cell for reproduction.

male genetic material (DNA)

The acrosome of the sperm cell contains enzymes capable of __________ the outer membrane of the egg cell.

penetrating and breaking down

Sperm cells have a haploid nucleus containing exactly __________ chromosomes.

23

The middle piece of a sperm cell is packed with __________ to supply the energy required for locomotion.

mitochondria

The tail of a sperm cell is also known as the __________, which helps propel the sperm through fluid environments.

flagellum

Egg cells are designed to accept __________ sperm cell upon fertilization.

one

The specialized cell membrane of the egg cell becomes __________ after the entry of a sperm cell.

impermeable

The high mitochondrial content in egg cells provides energy for __________ and embryonic growth.

early cell divisions

Root hair cells are responsible for absorbing water via __________ from the surrounding soil.

osmosis

Root hair cells have a large central vacuole that helps optimize the rate of __________ movement into the cell.

water

Red blood cells lack a __________, allowing maximum volume for higher concentrations of hemoglobin.

nucleus

The biconcave shape of red blood cells enhances the surface area-to-volume ratio for __________ absorption.

oxygen

Intestinal villi function to absorb dissolved nutrients directly into the __________.

bloodstream

Each villus is covered in __________ that maximize nutrient and water uptake capacity.

microvilli

Nerve cells are responsible for conducting __________ throughout the nervous systems.

electrical nerve impulses

The branched extensions of neurons that receive signals are called __________.

dendrites

The myelin sheath around the axon __________ the electrical impulses that propagate down the cell.

insulates