Cell specialisation - cell specialisation Flashcards
What term refers to the process where eukaryotic cells become specialised for specific functions?
The division of labour
This process occurs in complex multicellular organisms.
What is the term for the development of distinct specialised cells?
Differentiation
This process allows cells to develop specific adaptations for their role.
What are the two main types of adaptations that specialised eukaryotic cells have?
- The shape of the cell
- The organelles the cell contains (or doesn’t contain)
Fill in the blank: Cells that make large amounts of proteins will be adapted for this function by containing many _______.
ribosomes
How do red blood cells adapt to their function?
They are small to allow movement through narrow capillaries.
What is a feature of adaptation during the differentiation process?
Cell size can vary drastically.
How are active white blood cells adapted compared to inactive white blood cells?
Active white blood cells are larger to allow space for rER and Golgi apparatus for protein synthesis.
What adaptations do sperm cells have for movement towards the egg cell?
- Long shape
- Narrow streamlined heads to reduce resistance
What is unique about the size of an egg cell?
It has the largest volume of all cells to allow for stored food reserves.
What is the reason for a nerve cell having a large cell body?
To allow for protein synthesis to maintain the structure of the long axon.
What is the adaptation of muscle cells?
Larger than normal cells designed to exert force during muscle contraction.
What does the surface area to volume ratio (SA:V) affect in cells?
It affects the metabolic reactions and the ability to exchange materials across the plasma membrane.
True or False: As cells increase in size, their surface area to volume ratio increases.
False
What happens to the SA:V ratio as cells get larger?
It decreases.
What must occur when the SA:V ratio becomes too small?
Growth must stop and the cells must divide.
What adaptations have multicellular organisms evolved to facilitate?
- The exchange of substances between internal tissues and the external environment
- Efficient transport of substances within their bodies
What is one example of a system that multicellular organisms have developed for gas exchange?
Gas exchange systems
Fill in the blank: Scientists use models to represent real world ideas, organisms, processes, and systems that cannot be easily _______.
investigated
What is the purpose of using models in scientific investigation?
To test predictions and develop explanations for observations.
What is the method used to model the effect of changing surface-area-to-volume ratio on the rate of ion diffusion?
Using agar cubes.
What is the first step in the method for modeling diffusion using agar cubes?
Coloured agar is made up and cut into cubes of required dimensions.
What should be measured out carefully into each boiling tube during the diffusion experiment?
The same volume of the diffusion solution, e.g. dilute hydrochloric acid.
What is the expected result when the acid diffuses into the agar cubes?
A change in colour of the indicator in the agar blocks.
What can be used to draw a graph in the diffusion experiment?
How the rate of diffusion changes with the surface area : volume ratio.
