Cell Specialisation 1.1.3 Flashcards
How do cells specialise?
Cells specialise by undergoing differentiation.
How do cells specialise by undergoing differentiation?
Cells specialise by going through a process by gaining new sub-cellular structures in order for it to be suited to its role.
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are cells which can differentiate their whole life.
How many times can animal cells differentiate?
Most animal cells can only differentiate once.
How many times can plants differentiate?
Many plant cells retain the ability to differentiate continuously.
How are sperm cells specialise?
Sperm cells are specialised to carry the males DNA to the egg cell (ovum) for successful reproduction.
What are some functions of the sperm cell?
Sperm cells have a streamlined head and long tail to help swim.
Many mitochondria ( which is where respiration happens which supplies the energy to allow the cell to move).
The acrosome ( top of the head) has digestive enzymes which break down the outer layers of membrane of the egg cell.
How are nerve cells specialised?
Nerve cells are specialised to transmit electrical signals quickly from one place in the body to another.
What are some functions of the nerve cells?
The axon is long, enabling the impulses to be carried along long distances.
Having lots of extensions from the cell body( called dentrites ) means branched connections can form with other nerve cells.
The nerve endings have many mitochondria which supply the energy to make special transmitter chemicals called neurotransmitters (which allows the impulse to be passed from one cell to another).
