Cells and Organisation: Specialised Cells

Flashcards covering cell parts, organelles, and the structures, functions, and adaptations of specialised plant and animal cells.

According to the cell parts activity card, what three forbidden words cannot be used when describing a cell wall?

Box, Outside, and Protect.

What does it mean when a cell is described as "specialised"?

It means the cell is adapted so that it can carry out its job really well.

Which cell part contains genetic information and typically has only one copy per cell?

The nucleus.

What organelle is pictured, which is found only in plant cells and contains a pigment that absorbs sunlight?

Chloroplast.

Which organelle is pictured, usually present in large numbers to help provide the cell with energy?

Mitochondria.

What is the jelly-like substance in a cell where chemical reactions happen?

Cytoplasm.

Where is a root hair cell found, and what is its main function?

It is found in a plant root, and its function is to absorb water and minerals from the soil.

Which specialised plant cell is shown in the image, and what are its adaptations?

Root hair cell. It is adapted by having a long root hair shape to fit between grains of soil to reach water, a large surface area for diffusion of water and minerals, and no chloroplasts due to being underground.

Why does a root hair cell have no chloroplasts?

Due to being underground.

Which specialised cell is shown in the image, and where is it located in a plant?

Palisade cell. It is found in the top of a leaf.

What is the function of a palisade cell, and what are its adaptations?

Its function is to carry out photosynthesis and make food (glucose) for the plant. It is adapted by having lots of chloroplasts to absorb light for energy, and a tall, long shape with a large surface area to maximise light absorption.

Where are sperm cells found, and what is their function?

They are found in the testes. Their function is to carry genetic information, travel to, and fuse with an egg cell for fertilisation.

Which specialised animal cell is shown here, and how is it adapted for movement and fusion?

Sperm cell. It has a long tail for movement, lots of mitochondria to release energy to allow the sperm to move the tail, and head enzymes that allow it to fuse with the egg.

Which specialised cells are shown in the image, and what is their function?

Muscle cells. Their function is to help the body to move.

How are muscle cells adapted to contract and relax?

They contain bands of protein that change shape to contract and relax the muscle, and lots of mitochondria to provide energy for muscle contraction.

Which specialised cell is shown in the diagram, and what is its role in the body?

Nerve cell. Its role is to carry nerve impulses around the body.

What structural adaptations allow a nerve cell to transmit impulses and connect to other cells?

Long fibres allow it to carry electrical impulses up and down the body, and branching dendrites at each end connect to other nerves or muscles.

Which specialised cell type is shown in the image, and where in the body are these cells found?

Ciliated epithelial cells. They line the air passages in the lungs.

How are ciliated epithelial cells adapted to prevent lung damage from dust and bacteria?

They have tiny hairs called cilia to help waft mucus with trapped dust and microorganisms along the airways, and lots of mitochondria to release energy for cilia to move.

Which specialised cell is shown in the image, and where is it found?

Red blood cell. It is found in the blood.

What are the structural adaptations of a red blood cell that help it transport oxygen?

A biconcave shape that increases the surface area for the diffusion of oxygen, and no nucleus so that there is more room for haemoglobin, which binds to oxygen molecules.

Which blood cell is shown here, and what adaptations allow it to fight pathogens?

White blood cell. Some can change shape to squeeze out of blood vessels and engulf pathogens, and some can produce antibodies and antitoxins.

Which specialised cell is shown in the image, and where is it found?

Egg cell. It is found in the ovaries.

How is an egg cell adapted for fertilisation and embryo development?

Its cytoplasm contains nutrients for the developing embryo, and its membrane changes after fertilisation to stop any more sperm getting in.