Cell specialisation and differentiation

Question 1

Job of a sperm cell

Answer 1

contains genetic information and an enzyme to help penetrate the egg cell membrane. The middle section is packed with mitochondria for energy. The tail moves the sperm to the egg.

Question 2

What is a xylem cell?

Answer 2

xylem moves water and solutes from the roots to the leaves

Question 3

Job of a nerve cell

Answer 3

Carry electrical signals from one part of the body to another.

Question 4

What is the function of a muscle cell?

Answer 4

To contract quickly

Question 5

What is a phloem cell?

Answer 5

phloem moves food substances from leaves to the rest of the plant. Structure: rows of cells that make continuous tubes running the full length of the plant.

Question 6

What is Differentiation?

Answer 6

Differentiation is the process of the identical cells becoming a defined part of the organism.

Question 7

Why is differentiation important?

Answer 7

They become specialised for a particular function and cannot change into different types of cells. In mature animals, cell division is mainly restricted to replacement and repair. On the other hand, many plant cells keep the ability to differentiate.

Question 8

Similar cells are grouped into?

Answer 8

Tissues which carry out a similar function.

Question 9

What is a collection of different tissues that work together to carry out the same function called?

Answer 9

An organ

Question 10

What are a range of cellular structures called?

Answer 10

Organelles, which are like cell machinery. an example of an organelle is mitochondria, nuclei

Question 11

What is photosynthesis?

Answer 11

The process of using light energy from the sun to make food

Question 12

What are plasmids?

Answer 12

Genetic structures in a cell that can replicate independently of the chromosomes, typically a small circular DNA strand in the cytoplasm of a bacterium

Question 13

Give a feature of a Phloem cell that makes it specialised for its function

Answer 13

Has very few subcellular structures so that stuff can flow through them.

Question 14

Give a feature that a xylem cell has that makes it specialised for its function.

Answer 14

They are hollow in the centre so that stuff can flow through them

Question 15

Describe how a root hair cell is specialised for its function.

Answer 15

A root hair cell has a large SA to V ratio so that it can easily absorb water and minerals from the soil.

Question 16

What is a stem cell?

Answer 16

An undifferentiated cell that can divide to produce lots more undifferentiated cells.

Question 17

How can stem cells be used to preserve rare plant species?

Answer 17

Cells in the meristems (parts of the plant where growth occurs) can differentiate into any type of plant cell.
Meaning they can be used to produce clones

Question 18

How do stem cells help farmers?

Answer 18

They can be used to grow crops of identical plants that have desired features for farmers e.g disease resistance

Question 19

Why are some people against Stem cell research?

Answer 19

As they feel the human embryos shouldn’t be used for experiments since each one is a potential human life.

Question 20

Name 3 ways a sperm cell is adapted for its job

Answer 20

Long tail and streamlined head to swim fast.
Lots of mitochondria to provide energy needed
Carries enzymes to digest through the egg cell membrane,

Question 21

How are muscle cells adapted

Answer 21

Long so they have space to contract

Contain lots of mitochondria to generate the energy needed for contraction.

Question 22

Nerve cell adaptations

Answer 22

Long to cover distance and have branched connection at their ends to connect to other nerve cells to form a network throughout the body.

Question 23

Word Equation for photosynthesis:

Answer 23

Carbon dioxide + water ~~~light» glucose +oxygen

Question 24

Symbol equation for photosynthesis:

Answer 24

6CO2 + 6H2O —light»> C6H12O6 + 6O2