B1.5 Specialisation (Plant Cells)

Question 1

What do root hair cells do?

Answer 1

Increase the surface area of the root so it can absorb water and mineral ions efficiently

Question 2

What do photosynthetic cells do?

Answer 2

Perform photosythesis to make food for the plant

Question 3

What do xylem cells do?

Answer 3

Transport water and mineral ions from the roots to the stem and leaves
Support the plant

Question 4

What do phloem cells do?

Answer 4

Transports food made by photosynthesis to the rest of the plant

Question 5

How are root hair cells specialised?

Answer 5

Large surface area
Permanent vacuole to speed up osmosis
Many mitochondria to transfer energy needed for active transport of mineral ions

Question 6

How are photosynthetic cells specialised?

Answer 6

Chloroplasts containing chlorophyll for photosynthesis
Often in continuous layers in leaf and outer layer of stems
Permanent vacuole to help keep cell rigid

Question 7

How are xylem cells specialised?

Answer 7

Contain lignin spirals

Hollow tubes

Question 8

What chemical makes xylem rigid?

Answer 8

Lignin - it builds up in spirals in the cell walls so when the cells die, spirals are left to keep the xylem strong

Question 9

How are phloem cells specialised?

Answer 9

Hollow tubes (not lignified like xylem)
Kept alive by companion cells with mitochondria to transfer energy to aid the movement of food