- Animal cell specialisation

Question 1

Sperm

Answer 1

Function is to fertilise an egg.
Streamlined with a long tail to swim to the egg.
Acrosome in the head containing enzymes to digest the egg cell membrane.
Large number of mitochondria in the mid section to release energy for movement.

Question 2

Nerve

Answer 2

Function is to carry electrical signals.
Long to carry signals long distances.
Branched connections to connect to other nerve cells and form a network around the body.
Insulating sheath to enhance transmission of electrical signals.

Question 3

Muscle

Answer 3

Function is to contract to allow movement .
Contain a large number of mitochondria to release energy from respiration for movement.
Long so that there is enough space to contract.

Question 4

Root hair

Answer 4

Function is to absorb water and minerals from the soil.
Hair like projections to increase the surface area.
(Note that root hair cells have no chloroplasts this is because they do not need them as they are in the soil)

Question 5

Xylem

Answer 5

Function is to carry water and minerals in plants.
Form hollow xylem tubes made of dead tissue.
Long cells with walls toughened by lignin.
Water and minerals flow from the roots towards the leaves only in one direction in a process called TRANSPIRATION.

Question 6

Phloem

Answer 6

Function is to carry glucose around the plant.
Form phloem tubes made of living tissue.
Cells have end plates with holes in them.
Glucose in solution moves from the leaves to growth and storage tissues in a process called TRANSLOCATION.