Cell Specialisation

Question 1

Differentiation

Answer 1

The process by which a cell becomes specialised for a specific function
- E.g. red blood cells, muscle cells, root hair cells, xylem vessels

Question 2

Red blood cell

Answer 2

Function: To transport oxygen from lungs to all parts of the body

Question 3

Adaptations (Red Blood Cell)

Answer 3

• No nucleus
• Thin, flexible cell membrane
• Cytoplasm contains haemoglobin
• Circular, biconcave shape

Question 4

No nucleus (rbc)

Answer 4

Enables cell to store more haemoglobin for transport of more oxygen

Question 5

Thin, flexible cell surface membrane (rbc)

Answer 5

Allows cell to squeeze through small capillaries easily

Question 6

Cytoplasm contains haemoglobin (rbc)

Answer 6

Which combines (reversibly) with oxygen to form oxy-haemoglobin and transports oxygen from lungs to all parts of the body

Question 7

Circular, biconcave shape (rbc)

Answer 7

Increases surface area-to-volume ratio for oxygen to diffuse in and out at a higher rate

Question 8

Muscle cell

Answer 8

Function: To contract, i.e. create a pulling force to stabilise or move parts of the body
- E.g. skeletal muscle cells, smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells

Question 9

Adaptations (rhc)

Answer 9

• Elongated shape
• Many mitochondria

Question 10

Elongated shape (muscle cell)

Answer 10

Elongated / spindle shaped; contained one or many nuclei and mitochondria

Question 11

Many mitochondria (muscle cell)

Answer 11

To provide the energy for the contraction of the muscle cell

Question 12

Root hair cell (rhc)

Answer 12

Function: Absorbs water and mineral salts from surrounding soil solution

Question 13

Adaptations (rhc)

Answer 13

• Long, narrow protrusion
• Large cell sap
• Numerous mitochondria

Question 14

Long protrusion (rhc)

Answer 14

Long, narrow protrusion to increase surface area to volume ratio for faster diffusion

Question 15

Large cell sap (rhc)

Answer 15

Large concentrated cell sap in vacuole to maintain water gradient

Question 16

Numerous mitochondria (rhc)

Answer 16

Numerous mitochondria for active transport of minerals

Question 17

Xylem vessel

Answer 17

Functions:
1. To transport water and mineral salts from roots to all parts of plant
2. To provide mechanical support for the plant

Question 18

Adaptations (xylem vessel)

Answer 18

• Absence of cross walls or protoplasm
• Long, hollow tubes
• Lignin deposited on walls of xylem vessels
  -Xylem vessels bundled together

Question 19

Absence of cross walls or protoplasm (xylem vessel)

Answer 19

Enables water to move easily through the lumen

Question 20

Long, hollow tubes formed from xylem cells laid end to end with no cross (xylem vessel)

Answer 20

Reduces obstruction and resistance to allow water and mineral salts to be conducted from roots to stem and leaves

Question 21

Lignin deposited on walls of xylem (xylem vessel)

Answer 21

Strengthens wall and prevents vessels from collapsing

Question 22

Xylem vessels bundled together (xylem vessel)

Answer 22

Provides mechanical support for plant