Cell Specialisation Flashcards
Why does a nerve cell have extensions and branches?
So that the nerve cell can communicate with other nerve cells, muscles and glands.
Why is a nerve cell longer than any other cell?
So that the nerves can run to and from different parts of the body to the Central Nervous System.
What is the function of a red blood cell?
Transports oxygen around the body.
What is the structural adaptation of a red blood cell?
- Biconcave disc shape
- Contains haemoglobin
- Small & flexible
- No nucleus
What is the structural adaptations of sperm?
Why?
- Long tail
- Swims to egg and fertilises
What is the middle of the sperm packed with?
Mitochondria
What does the acrosome in the head of the sperm contain? Why?
- Enzymes
- So that the sperm can penetrate (break through) the egg
What does the head of the sperm contain?
Genetic material for fertilisation
Are stem cells Specialised or Unspecialised cells?
Unspecialised
There are many different types of cells in plants. Each type is specialised to do a particular role and ensures that the organism functions as a whole.
What is the function of root hair cells?
Absorbs water from the roots of a plant.
- Large surface area to provide contact with soil water.
- It has thin walls so as not to restrict the movement of water.
There are many different types of cells in plants. Each type is specialised to do a particular role and ensures that the organism functions as a whole.
What is the function of
Xylem cells?
- There are no top and bottom walls between Xylem vessels, so there is a continuous column of water running through them.
- Their walls become thickened (lignin) and woody to support the plant.
What is the structural adaptation of a root hair cell?
Large surface area
What is the function of muscle cells?
Allows body to move.
What is the structural adaptation of muscle cells?
- Can change shape easily.
- Many mitochondria.
Name the Sperm Cell Parts
Sperm Cell Parts
Name the key structures of a nerve cell.

Key structures:

- Muscle cells contain ____ of ____ that slide over each other to cause ________ contraction.
- The arrangement of these _______ causes the banded appearance of _____muscle and ______ muscle.
- They contain many well-developed ___________ to provide the _________ for muscle ________.
- In ______ muscle, the cells merge so that the muscle fibres _____ in unison.
- Muscle cells contain filament of protein that slide over each other to cause muscle contraction.
- The arrangement of these filaments causes the banded appearance of heart muscle and skeletal muscle.
- They contain many well-developed mitochondria to provide the energy for muscle contraction.
- In skeletal muscle, the cells merge so that the muscle fibres contract in unison.
1.
Name the muscle cells :

- Heart Muscle
- Smooth Muscle
- Skeletal Muscle
______sugars and ______acids can be ________both up and down the stem.
- _______cells adjacent to the _____tubes provide ______required to _________ _______ in the ______.
- Dissolved sugars and amino acids can be transported both up and down the stem.
- Companion cells adjacent to the sieve tubes provide energy required to transport substances in the phloem.