B1.4 specialisation in animal cells

Question 1

At what stage of their life span do animal cells differentiate?

Answer 1

The early stage of their life

Question 2

What is the function of the sperm cell?

Answer 2

It contains the genetic information from the male parent. It has to move through the female reproductive system to get to the egg

Question 3

Where are the sperm cells found?

Answer 3

In the testes in a male

Question 4

What are the adaptations of the sperm cell?

Answer 4

• Long tail to move through the female reproductive system
• Middle section is full of mitochondria to transfer energy to the tail
• Acrosome stores digestive enzymes to break down the outer layer of the egg
• Large nucleus contains the genetic information to be passed on

Question 5

What is the function of the muscle cells?

Answer 5

To contract and relax to move the bones of the skeleton

Question 6

Where are muscle cells found?

Answer 6

In the muscles duh 🙄

Question 7

What are the adaptations of muscle cells?

Answer 7

• Contain special proteins that side over each other to make the fibres contract
• Lots of mitochondria that transfer energy for chemical reactions to take place
• Stores glycogen, chemical that can be broken down to transfer energy to the cells

Question 8

What is the function of nerve cells?

Answer 8

To carry electrical impulses around the body

Question 9

Where are nerve cells found?

Answer 9

In the nervous system

Question 10

What are the adaptations of nerve cells?

Answer 10

• Lots of dendrites to make connections to other nerve cells
- Axel that carries impulse from one place to another can be up to 25 metres long
- Synapses (nerve endings) pass impulses to another cell or muscle using special transmitter chemicals. There are lots of mitochondria to make the transmitter chemicals

Question 11

where are ciliated epithelial cells found?

Answer 11

The lining/surface of organs

Question 12

What is the function of ciliated epithelial cells?

Answer 12

• to line the surface of organs and move substances in one direction.
• they sweep mucus up to the throat where it can be swallowed

Question 13

What adaptations do ciliated epithelial cells have?

Answer 13

• they have cilia at the top of the cell

Question 14

Where are red blood cells found?

Answer 14

Blood

Question 15

What is the function of red blood cells?

Answer 15

They carry oxygen from the lungs to the body.

Question 16

What adaptations do red blood cells have?

Answer 16

• large surface area to volume ratio
• contains haemoglobin which carries oxygen
• has no nucleus to make room for more oxygen.

Question 17

State one adaptation for each of the following specialised animal cells. Describe how this adaptation helps the cell carry out its function:
a nerve cell
b muscle cell
c sperm cell

Answer 17

• lots of dendrites – to make connections to other nerve cells

• special proteins – that slide over each other to contract fibres

• Any one from long tail – to move sperm towards egg

Question 18

Cone cells are specialised nerve cells in the eye. They contain a chemical that changes in coloured light. As a result of the change, an impulse is sent along another nerve cell to the brain. Cone cells usually contain many mitochondria. Suggest why this is an important adaptation.

Answer 18

Transmitter chemicals are required to pass impulse from cone cell to another nerve cell and then on to brain.The many mitochondria
supply energy from cellular respiration needed to make transmitter chemicals.

Question 19

Describe the features you would look for to decide on the function of an unknown specialised animal cell.

Answer 19

• number of mitochondria indicates how much energy cell uses
• flagella or cilia – presence indicates whether cell moves around
or moves substances such as mucus
• nucleus – presence indicates whether cell is capable of
reproduction