Specialised cells

Define cell differentiation.

The process of a cell in which it develops the structure and characteristics needed to be able to carry out its specific function.

State the function of a sperm cell.

Reproduction

Describe three adaptations of a sperm cell.

flagellum (long tail), many mitochondria, acrosome in the head

Explain the functions of these adaptations of a sperm cell: Flagellum, many mitochondria, acrosome.

Flagellum allows movement.
Many mitochondria to provide the energy needed for swimming.
Acrosome to break down the outer layer of the egg (zone pellucida) using digestive enzymes.

State the function of a nerve cell.

Conduction of impulses

Describe the adaptations of a nerve cell.

long, extensions and branches for communication, axon

State the function of a muscle cell.

To contract allowing movement.

Describe two adaptations of a muscle cell.

Many mitochondria (for ATP), filaments of protein (Filaments of proteins that slide over each other to cause contraction)

State the function of a root hair cell.

Absorption of water and minerals from the soil

state adaptations of a root hair cell.

large vacuole, root hair increases surface area, root hair extends into the soil (to access nutrients), mitochondria (for active transportation), no chloroplasts

State the function of xylem tissue.

To transport water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant

Describe three adaptations of xylem tissue.

No top or bottom cell walls, no cell contents, thickened walls with lignin

Explain the function of these adaptations of xylem tissue: no end cell walls, made of dead cells, thickened outer walls.

No end cell walls to allow a continuous column of water throughout the xylem tube. Made of dead cells and thickened outer walls to have a continuous flow of water and to also support the plant.

dendrites function:

recieve signals from other cells

axon hillock function:

generates impulse in the neuron

axon function:

transfers signals to other cells and organs

Node of Ranvier function:

allow diffusion of ions

Myelin sheath function:

increases the speed of the impulse signal

schwann cell function:

produces the myelin sheath

axon terminal

forms junctions with other cells

Xylem walls are made up of

lignin

State the function of ciliated cells

movement of fluids and particles, protection, and sensory functions (ex: in ear it detects sound vibrations and changes in position, contributing to hearing and balance.)

Describe the adaptations of the ciliated cells

Cillia - hair-like structures (extensions of the cell membrane)

state the function of red blood cells

Transport of oxygen

State the adaptions of red blood cells

Biconcave shape increases surface area (for more efficient diffusion of oxygen), contains hemoglobin (to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide), mostly no organelles bcs it loses them as it matures (only has cytoskeleton and cytoplasm). (keep in mind that the rough ER plays a major role in early development to synthesize proteins.)

State the function of egg cells

Reproduction

State the adaptions of egg cells

contains alot of cytoplasm (has nutrients for early embryo growth), haploid nucleus, zone pellucida provides protection against mechanical damage and prevents polyspermy, follicle cells provide nutrients to egg cell and produces hormones such as estrogen/progesterone (important for regulating menstrual cycle)

State the function of Palisade mesophyll cell

photosynthesis

State the adaptations of Palisade mesophyll cell

column shaped to maximize absorption of sunlight, contains many chloroplasts for max photosynthesis, main sites of photosynthesis.