cell differentiation and specialisation biology 1

What is cell differentiation?

The process by which a cell becomes specialized for a specific function.

Why is cell differentiation important in multicellular organisms?

It allows organisms to develop different types of cells, tissues, and organs, each with unique functions, improving efficiency and complexity.

What is a specialized cell?

A cell that has undergone differentiation to take on a specific structure and function.

Give an example of a specialized animal cell and its adaptation for its function.

Nerve cell (neuron):

• Long axon to transmit electrical impulses over long distances.
• Dendrites to receive signals from other cells.
• Myelin sheath to insulate the axon and speed up impulse transmission.

Give another example of a specialized animal cell and its adaptation for its function.

Sperm cell:

• Tail (flagellum) for swimming to the egg.
• Mitochondria in the mid-piece to provide energy for movement.
• Acrosome (head cap) containing enzymes to digest the egg's outer layer.

Give an example of a specialized plant cell and its adaptation for its function.

Root hair cell:

• Long and thin extension to increase surface area for water and mineral absorption.
• Thin cell wall to allow easy passage of water and dissolved minerals.
• Large permanent vacuole to help maintain turgor pressure.

Give another example of a specialized plant cell and its adaptation for its function.

Palisade cell:

• Located near the upper surface of leaves to maximize light absorption.
• Packed with chloroplasts for photosynthesis.
• Tall and cylindrical shape to provide a large surface area for light absorption.

What are stem cells?

Undifferentiated cells that have the ability to differentiate into many different types of specialized cells.

How do animal and plant cells differ in their ability to differentiate?

Most animal cells differentiate early in development and lose the ability to differentiate (except for adult stem cells). Most plant cells retain the ability to differentiate into various cell types throughout their life.

What are meristems in plants, and what is their role?

Meristems are regions in plants (e.g., root tips, shoot tips) containing undifferentiated cells (plant stem cells) that can