Specialised cells
A specialised cell has a structure that suits its function. You
explain the link: name the feature, then say what it lets the cell do
Cell
Feature
How it helps the function
Sperm cell tail; many mitochondria; enzymes in the head; half the chromosomes
swims to the egg; energy for swimming; digests into the egg; fuses to give a full set
Nerve cell long axon; branched ends (dendrites); insulating sheath
carries impulses long distances; connects to many cells; impulses travel fast
Muscle cell protein filaments that slide; many mitochondria
contracts to move; energy for contraction
Root hair cell long hair-like extension; many mitochondria; no chloroplasts
large surface area for absorbing water and ions; energy for active transport
Xylem cell dead, hollow tube; no end walls; walls strengthened with lignin
water flows up unobstructed; withstands pressure
Phloem cell sieve plates (end walls with pores); few organelles; companion cells alongside
dissolved sugars pass along; companion cells supply energy
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Specialised cells — the structure fits the job sperm cell a tail to swim to the egg lots of mitochondria for energy enzymes in the head to get into the egg half the normal number of chromosomes nerve cell very long, to carry impulses a long way branched ends to connect to other cells an insulating sheath speeds the impulse up muscle cell protein fibres that can contract lots of mitochondria to release the energy needed root hair cell a long hair gives a big surface area to absorb water and minerals no chloroplasts — it is underground xylem dead, hollow tubes with no end walls, so water flows straight up strengthened with lignin phloem living cells with sieve plates between them companion cells beside them provide the energy In every case the shape and the contents of the cell match what it has to do — that is what differentiation means. Six specialised cells drawn in a row with their key features labelled: sperm, nerve, muscle, root hair, xylem, phloem
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In the full topic
• Specialised cells• Cell differentiationRead the free biology topics →