Specialised Cells

What is a specialised cell?

A specialised cell is a cell that has a specific structure adapted to carry out a particular function.

What is a sperm cell specialised to do?

A sperm cell is specialised to fertilise an egg cell.

How is a sperm cell specialised for its function?

It has a tail for movement, many mitochondria for energy, and an acrosome containing enzymes that help the sperm cell penetrate the egg cell.

Why does a sperm cell have many mitochondria?

To provide energy for the tail to move, helping the sperm cell to swim towards the egg cell.

Why does a sperm cell have a tail?

The tail allows the sperm cell to swim towards the egg cell.

What is the function of the acrosome in a sperm cell?

It contains enzymes that help the sperm cell penetrate the egg cell.

What is the function of an egg cell?

To be fertilised by the sperm cell and provide nutrients for the early embryo.

How is an egg cell specialised for its function?

It has a large cytoplasm containing nutrients, a cell membrane that changes after fertilisation to prevent another sperm entering, and a haploid nucleus containing half the genetic information.

Why does an egg cell have a large cytoplasm?

It contains nutrients that support the early embryo after fertilisation.

Why does the egg cell membrane change after fertilisation?

To prevent another sperm cell from entering and fertilising the egg cell.

Why does an egg cell have a haploid nucleus?

It contains half the genetic information, so it can combine with the sperm nucleus during fertilisation.

What happens to the genetic information during fertilisation?

The genetic information from the sperm and egg combines to form a new set of genetic information for the embryo.

What is the function of a nerve cell?

To transmit electrical impulses around the body.

How is a nerve cell specialised for its function?

It has a long axon, branched ends, and a myelin sheath. These help carry electrical impulses over long distances, connect with other cells, and speed up impulses.

Why does a nerve cell have a long axon?

To carry electrical impulses over long distances around the body.

Why does a nerve cell have branched ends?

To connect with other nerve cells or target cells and pass on electrical impulses.

What is the function of the myelin sheath in a nerve cell?

It insulates the axon and helps electrical impulses travel faster.

Why is it useful for nerve cells to transmit electrical impulses quickly?

It allows the body to respond rapidly to changes and stimuli.

What is the function of a muscle cell?

To contract and produce movement.

How is a muscle cell specialised for its function?

It has protein fibres for contraction, many mitochondria for energy, and glycogen stores that provide glucose for respiration.

Why does a muscle cell contain many mitochondria?

To release lots of energy through aerobic respiration for muscle contraction.

Why do muscle cells store glycogen?

Glycogen can be broken down into glucose, which is used in respiration to provide energy for contraction.

Why do muscle cells contain protein fibres?

The protein fibres can contract, causing the muscle cell to shorten and produce movement.

Why is a muscle cell's ability to contract important?

It allows muscles to produce movement by pulling on bones.

What is the function of a root hair cell?

To absorb water and mineral ions from the soil.

How is a root hair cell specialised for its function?

It has a long root hair for a large surface area, a thin cell wall for a short diffusion distance, and many mitochondria for active transport.

Why does a root hair cell have a long root hair?

It gives the cell a large surface area, allowing it to absorb more water and mineral ions.

Why does a root hair cell have many mitochondria?

To provide energy for active transport of mineral ions from the soil into the cell.

How does the thin cell wall of a root hair cell help its function?

It provides a short distance for water to travel into the cell, making absorption more efficient.

Why does a root hair cell need active transport to absorb some mineral ions?

Some mineral ions are at a lower concentration in the soil than inside the root hair cell, so energy is needed to move them in.

What is the function of a palisade cell?

To carry out photosynthesis efficiently by absorbing lots of light.

How is a palisade cell specialised for photosynthesis?

It has many chloroplasts, a tall elongated shape, and a large vacuole that pushes chloroplasts towards the edge of the cell.

Why does a palisade cell contain many chloroplasts?

To absorb more light energy, allowing the cell to carry out photosynthesis efficiently.

How does the tall, elongated shape of a palisade cell help it?

It allows palisade cells to pack closely together near the top of the leaf, helping them absorb more light.

How does the large vacuole help a palisade cell carry out photosynthesis?

It pushes the chloroplasts towards the edge of the cell, closer to the light.

Why are palisade cells found near the top of a leaf?

They are closer to the light, so they can absorb more light energy for photosynthesis.