Specialised cells- Yr 9

What is a specialised cells?

A cell that has a special shape and features (structure) that helps it do it’s job

How is an egg cell specialised?

• Function

• Adaptations

• Carries mothers DNA

• Layer of jelly

How is an RBC specialised?

• Function

• Adaptations

• Carries oxygen around the body

• Flexible, bi concave shape to increase surface area, no nucleus to maximise space for oxygen

How is an sperm cell specialised?

• Function

• Adaptations

• To fertilise egg cell

• Tail, midpiece with mitochondria for energy, produced in large quantities to increase chance of fertilisation

How is an nerve cell specialised?

• Function

• Adaptations

• They are thin, passing messages quickly

• Nerve cells have branched connections at each end. These join to other nerve cells, allowing them to pass messages around the body.

• They have a fatty (myelin) sheath that surrounds them. The fatty sheath increases the speed at which the message can travel.

How is an muscle cell specialised?

• Function

• Adaptations

• Muscles cells are found in bundles which make up our muscles. These cells are able to contract (get shorter) and relax (return to original length).

• Cardiac (heart) muscle cells contract and relax to pump blood around our bodies for our entire lives.

• Smooth muscle cells make up thin sheets of muscle, such as the stomach lining.

How is an cilia cell specialised?

• Function

• Adaptations

• These hairs move mucus containing dust and other particles upwards and out of the airways.

How is a root hair cell specialised?

• Function

• Adaptations

• Holds plant in place as they grow, and absorb water and minerals from the soil

• Large surface area to absorb as much water and minerals as possible

How is a palisade cell specialised?

• Function

• Adaptations

• When the Sun shines, photosynthesis in plant cells makes sugar for growth, reproduction and other life processes.

• They are towards the tops of leaves for maximum light and they have lots of chloroplasts

What does a xylem cell do?

Transport water from the roots to other parts of the plant.

What does a phloem cell do?

Transport sugary water from the leaves to the rest of the plant.