Cell Specialisation + Differentiation Flashcards
What is a specialised cell?
A specialised cell is a cell that carries out a certain job. A specific function. Most organisms have these specialised cells.
Explain the appearance change involved with specialised cells.
When the cells adapt and change its cell structure will also be changed to help it carry out its function
Define differentiation and explain what happens in it
It’s a process that cells go through as a cell changes to become specialised for the job it needs to carry out. They’ll develop sub cellular structures and become a whole different type of cell.
Describe the differences in the ability of plant and animal cells to differentiate
For animal cells, as soon as they specialise, their ability to differentiate is lost. For plant cells, this ability will never be lost
When does most differentiation occur?
As an organism grows/develops
In mature animals why is differentiation mainly needed?
Repairing and replicating cells such as skin or blood cells
For plants, why is differentiation mainly needed?
Asexual reproduction
What is the function of a muscle cell and what are the three different types?
Smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle. It’s function is to contact quickly for movement
How are muscle cells specialised for its function? (4)
–They are long so they have space contract
– They contain loads of mitochondria to transfer energy needed for contraction.
–They also contain protein filaments that slide over each other to allow muscle contraction.
– all muscle cells have extendability and ability to contract so when they stretch they can return to normal
What is the function of sperm cells?
To aid in reproduction. To essentially get the male DNA to the female DNA
What specialisations do sperm cells have to do their job better? (4)
– it has a long tail and streamlined head (separate points) to help it swim to the egg
– it has loads of mitochondria to release energy needed for the swim and the journey
– it carrie’s enzymes in its head to digest through the egg’s cell membrane
What are nerve cell functions?
Conduction of electrical impulse. They are in charge of co-ordinating info from brain/spinal cord to the rest of the body
How are nerve cells specialized to do rapid signaling (3)
They are long so they can conduct nerve impulses between diff. areas of the body at greater distances
They have extension of cytoplasm (dendrites) that allow the cell to communicate with other nerve cells, muscle, glands
They have an axon and it’s covered with a fatty sheath to speed up impulse transmission
What are the functions of root hair cells
To absorb water and mineral ions from soil
What specializations do root hair cells have? (3)
They have root hairs that increase SA of cell surface in contact with soil. Tie maximizes the rate of osmosis/diffusion
They have thinner walls than other plant cells to minimize distance of diffusion so water and minerals can move easier
They have mitochondria that release energy for active transport of mineral ions
