Biology Specialized Cells (SLIDE 8) Flashcards
The body is made up of specialized
cells that are responsible for performing a
specific function
Cells of similar functions form
tissues
What is important to note is that
FORM 🡪 FUNCTION
Structures of cells assist them in
performing their function
Multicellular organisms have highly
specialized cells that perform highly
specialized processes
Specialized cells perform one primary
function instead of multiple functions to
sustain the cell
Epithelial Tissue
Protects the body
Skin Epithelia
Columnar Epithelia
Connective Tissue
Provides structure and support
Loose: Fascia
Fibrous: Ligaments, Tendons, Cartilage, Bone
Muscular Tissue
Provide movement
Skeletal (striated)
Cardiac
Smooth
Nervous Tissue
Sends and receives electrical signals
Neurons
Glial
What are “stem cells”?
Cells that are undifferentiated and are capable of becoming a specialized type of cell
Why are stem cells important?
Can be used as medical treatment of injuries or disease
Stem cells begin as a
non-specialized cell
Through cellular differentiation, stem cells can become
specialized to perform a specific function
There are two main types of stem cells:
Embryonic Stem Cells
Can differentiate into any type of cell
Tissue (Adult) Stem Cells
Can differentiate into some types of cells
Some tissues are capable of
regenerating cells after being damaged
Other cells cannot regenerate
Stem cells have been used to regenerate cells
in tissues that are unable to do so
Think about your own body. List at least four activities that your body must do to keep you
alive.
The heart must pump blood through the body.
The digestive system must break down food and absorb nutrients.
The skin must protect the body from foreign invaders.
The lungs must bring in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.
The kidneys must filter the blood and fluids in the body.
- Choose two specialized cells mentioned in this section. Compare their structure and function.
Blood cells are small, smooth, and round allowing them to flow through the blood vessels.
Skin cells are flat and layered allowing them to prevent foreign substances from entering the body.
- Do plant cells specialize in the same way as animal cells? Use examples of each to illustrate
your answer.
Plants and animals are both eukaryotes so they do have specialized cells although these cells are not
exactly the same. Plants have cells that aid them in photosynthesis (like photosynthetic cells with a
lot of chloroplasts). Animals have cells that aid in producing movement (like muscle cells).your answer.
What would happen if cells of a chick embryo did not specialize?
The embryo would not specialize therefore the chick would not have any specialized cells and would
be a mass on non-specialized cells.
Explain how embryonic stem cells differ from adult stem cells.
Adult stem cells can only differentiate into specific types of cells.
Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any type of cell.
