B1 Specialised Cells Flashcards
What are specialised cells/cell differentiation?
Cells that are specialised to carry out a specific job.
Why do specialised cells exist?
To help the organism function more efficiently
Function of red blood cells?
Transport oxygen around the body
Adaption of red blood cells?
Biconcave discs – increase surface area/speeds up diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Contain haemoglobin which binds to oxygen
No nucleus - more space for haemoglobin.
Where are Ciliated epithelial cells?
Found in your airways
What are ciliated epithelial cells?
Cilia are tiny hairs on top of the cells.
Function of ciliated epithelial cells?
Work with goblet cells to sweep mucus away from the lungs, preventing infection.
Function of fat cells?
Store fat for energy, insulation and protection around your organs
Adaption of fat cells?
Contain very little cytoplasm.
Have few mitochondria.
Can expand up to 1000x their original size
Function of sperm cells?
Transfer genetic material from the male to the ovum (egg).
Adaption of sperm cells?
Has an acrosome which contains digestive enzymes to break into the ovum.
Many mitochondria to provide energy for movement.
Has a long flagellum (tail) to propel the sperm
Where are palisade mesophyll cells?
Found near upper surface of the leaf
Function of palisade mesophyll cells?
Specialised for carrying out photosynthesis.
Adaption of palisade mesophyll cells?
Contain many tightly packed chloroplasts to absorb sunlight
Regular shape means many cells can be closely packed to maximise the light absorbed
Function of Root hair cells?
Absorbs water and minerals from the soil.
