cell biology - plant cell specialisation

Question 1

how is a root hair cell specialised?

Answer 1

• covered in root hair increasing surface area for the absorption of water and mineral ions from the soil
• don’t contain chloroplasts

Question 2

how is a phloem cell specialised?

Answer 2

• carry dissolved sugars
  -no nucleus
• very few subcelluar structures
• sieve plates, allow dissolved sugars to move
• each phloem vessel cell has a companion cell providing energy

Question 3

how is a xylem cell specialised?

Answer 3

• very thick walls, containing lignin giving structure. causes xylem cells to die
• hollow in centre, no internal structures
• ends of wall broken down so substances can flow easily