Cell differentiation and specialisation Flashcards
What is differentiation?
Differentiation is the process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its job.
In animal and plant cells, does differentiation last?
Most differentiation occurs as an organism develops.in most animal cells the ability to differentiate is lost at an early stage,after they become specialised.however,lots of plant cells never lose this ability.
In mature animals, what is the role of most differentiated cells?
The cells that differentiate in mature animals are mainly used for repairing and replacing cells, such as skin or blood cells.
What are undifferentiated cells called?
Stem cells.
Give 5 examples of specialised cells.
Sperm cells, nerve cells, muscle cells, root hour cells, phloem and xylem cells
What are sperm cells specialised for?
Sperm cells are specialised for reproduction.
What are nerve cells specialised for?
Nerve cells are specialised for rapid signalling.
What are muscle cells specialised for?
Muscle cells are specialised for contraction.
What are root hour cells specialised for?
Root hair cells are specialised for absorbing water and minerals.
What are phloem and xylem cells specialised for?
Phloem and xylem cells are specialised for transporting substances.
How is a sperm call specialised for reproduction?
It has a long tail and streamlined head to help it swim the egg. There are a lot of mitochondria in the cell to provide the energy needed. it also has enzymes in its head to digest through the egg’s cell membrane.
How is a nerve cell specialised for rapid signalling?
Nerve cells are long, which means they cover more distance, and have branched connections at their ends to connect to other nerve cells and form a network throughout the body.
How are muscle cells specialised for contraction?
Muscle cells are long, so they have space to contract, and contain lots of mitochondria to generate the energy needed for contraction.
How are root hair cause specialised for absorbing water and minerals?
Root hour cells are cells on the surface of plant roots, which grow into long hairs that stick out into soil. This gives the the plant a big surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions.
How are phloem and xylerm cells specialised for transporting substances?
Phloem and xylem cells form phloem and xylem tubes which transport substances such as food and water around plants. To form the tubes the cells are long and joined ent to end. Phloem and xylem cells are hollow in the centre and phloem cells have very few subcellular structures so that stuff can flow through them.
What is the function of a nerve cell?
To carry electrical signals from one part of the body to another.
What is the function of a sperm cell?
To get the male DNA to the female DNA, and fertilise the egg.
What is the function of a nerve cell?
To contract quickly.
