Cell diffrentiation and Specialisation

Question 1

what is differentiation?

Answer 1

the process by which a cell changes to become specialised for it’s job

Question 2

what is the function of a sperm cell and how is it specialised for reproduction?

Answer 2

•the function of sperm to carry male DNA to female DNA
•it has a long tail and a streamlined head to help it swim to the egg
•it has a lot of mitochondria to provide the energy needed
•it carries enzymes in it’s head to digest through the egg cell membrane

Question 3

what is the function of a nerve cell and how is it specialised for rapid signalling?

Answer 3

•the function of nerve cells is to carry electrical signals from one part of the body to another
•nerve cells are long in order to cover more distance
•they have branched connections at their ends to connect to other nerve cells and form a network throughout the body

Question 4

what is the function of muscle cells and how are they specialised for contraction?

Answer 4

•the function of a muscle cell is to contract quickly
•muscle cells are long so they have soace to contract
•they have lots of mitochondria to generate energy needed for contraction

Question 5

what is the function of root hair cells and how are they specialised to absorb water and minerals?

Answer 5

•they are on the surface of plant roots which grow into long hair that stick into the soil
•this gives the plant a large surface area for absorbing water and material ions from the soil

Question 6

what are phloem and xylem cells and how are they specialised for transporting substances?

Answer 6

*these 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 end to end
*xylem cells are hollow in the centre and phloem cells have very few sub cellular structures so that stuff can flow through them
-xylem vessles are made of dead cells while phloem are made of living cells
-xylem are strengthened by lignin