B1.4 specialisation in animal and plant cells

Question 1

what are specialised cells?

Answer 1

Cells that have adaptations to allow them to carry out a specific function

Question 2

What is the process in which cells become specialised

Answer 2

Differentiation

Question 3

What happens during differentiation?

Answer 3

Cells develop different subcellular structures and turn into different types of cells

Question 4

When do animal cells differentiate?

Answer 4

At an early stage of the embryo

Question 5

When do plant cells differentiate?

Answer 5

They can differentiate throughout their lives

Question 6

how are guard cells specialised 

Answer 6

they open and close the stomata to allows gas exchange and control
water loss

Question 7

How are sperm cells specialised

Answer 7

A large nucleus to contain genetic information to be passed on.
A tale to move to the egg.
Lots of mitochondria to provide energy for movement.
A streamlined head to help it move

Question 8

how are egg cells specialised?

Answer 8

Contains a huge food reserve to feed the embryo

Question 9

How is the xylem specialised?

Answer 9

Made of empty dead cells to transport water and mineral ions up the stem contain lignin which makes the cells very strong and able to withstand the pressure of water

Question 10

How is the root hair cells specialised?

Answer 10

Large surface area and thin to absorb more water and dissolved minerals
a large permanent vacuole that speeds up the movement of water by osmosis from the soil
lots of mitochondria to provide energy for the active transport of mineral ions into the cell

Question 11

how is the nerve cell specialised

Answer 11

A long axon to carry impulses around the body
branches called dendrites to communicate with other nerve cells

Question 12

how are red blood cells specialised

Answer 12

Contain haemoglobin (pigment that absorbs oxygen),
no nucleus so more space for haemoglobin
a biconcave shape giving a larger surface area for absorbing oxygen

Question 13

how are epithelial cells specialised

Answer 13

Have cilia to move particles along

Question 14

how are the phloem specialised

Answer 14

Made of living cells with small holes in the end to transport sugar up and down the stem
have companion cells (containing mitochondria) to keep them alive and to provide the energy needed to move the sugar up and down the plant