Cell Specialisation

Question 1

What does differentiation mean?

Answer 1

When a cell becomes specialised to carry out a particular function/job.

Question 2

Give some examples of specialised animal cells.

Answer 2

Erythrocytes
Neutrophils
Sperm cells

Question 3

Give some examples of specialised plant cells.

Answer 3

Palisade cells
Root hair cells
Guard cells

Question 4

How are erythrocytes specialised to do their job?

Answer 4

Biconcave shape- increased surface area to volume ratio.
No nucleus- increased space available for haemoglobin
Flexible- so hey can squeeze through narrow capillaries

Question 5

How are neutrophils adapted to their function?

Answer 5

Multi-lobed nucleus- makes it easier to squeeze through small gaps
Contains lysosomes- needed to digest pathogens and foreign material.

Question 6

How are sperm cells do their job?

Answer 6

Tail/ flagellum- so they can move towards the ovum.

Contain mitochondria- to supply energy needed to swim.

Question 7

How are palisade cells specialised to do their job?

Answer 7

Rectangular box shape- closely packed to form a continuous layer.
Contain chloroplasts- absorb light for photosynthesis.
Thin cell walls- increased rate of diffusion of CO2.
Large vacuole- maintain turgor pressure.

Question 8

How is a root hair cell specialised to do its job?

Answer 8

Long extensions- increased surface area to maximise the uptake of water and minerals.

Question 9

How are guard cells specialised to do their function?

Answer 9

Form stomata- so CO2 can enter the cell for photosynthesis

Cell wall is thicker on one side- so that the cell doesn’t change shape symmetrically as its volume changes.

Question 10

What is a tissue?

Answer 10

A collection of differentiated cells that have a specialised function or functions.

Question 11

Put the levels of organisation in multicellular organisms in order.
Tissues
Whole organisms
Specialised cells
Organ systems 
Organs

Answer 11

Specialised cells
Tissues
Organs
Organ systems
Whole organisms

Question 12

What are the 4 main categories of animal tissues?

Answer 12

Nervous tissue
Epithelial tissue
Muscle tissue
Connective tissue

Question 13

Give 4 examples of specialised animal tissues.

Answer 13

Squamous epithelium
Ciliates epithelium
Cartilage
Muscle

Question 14

How are squamous epithelium adapted for their function?

Answer 14

One cell thick- for rapid diffusion across a surface like the lining of her lungs.

Question 15

How are ciliated epithelium adapted to their function?

Answer 15

Cilia on one surface of the cells- move mucus away from the lungs of the trachea.
Goblet cells- release mucus to trap unwanted particles.

Question 16

How is cartilage specialised to carry out its function?

Answer 16

Firm and flexible- prevents ends of bones from rubbing together to cause damage.

Question 17

How are muscle tissues specialised to do their job?

Answer 17

Skeletal muscle fibres contain microfibres that can contract- this moves the bones

Question 18

Name the 2 types of plant tissues?

Answer 18

Epidermis tissue

Vascular tissue

Question 19

How are epidermis specialised to do their job?

Answer 19

Covered in a waxy, waterproof cuticle- reduce loss of water.

Stomata present- allows carbon dioxide, water vapour and oxygen in and out of the cell.

Question 20

How are xylem tissues specialised to do their job?

Answer 20

Walls strengthened by lignin- provides structural support for plants.

Question 21

How are phloem tissues specialised to do their job?

Answer 21

Columns of sieve tube cells- so organic nutrients like sucrose are transported to all parts of the plant.

Question 22

What is an organ?

Answer 22

A collection of tissues that are adapted to perform a particular function in an organism.

Question 23

Give an example of an organ.

Answer 23

Heart is an organ that is adapted for pumping blood around the body.
Leaf is an organ that is adapted for photosynthesis

Question 24

What is an organ system?

Answer 24

A number of organs working together to carry out a major function in the body.

Question 25

Give three examples of organ systems in animals.

Answer 25

Digestive system
Cardiovascular system
Gaseous exchange system