Cell specialization Flashcards
What is the egg cell used for, where is it found and how is it specialised?
Reproduction.
ovaries
Largest cell
contains half the mother’s genes.
lots of mitochondria
What is the sperm cell used for, where is it found and how is it specialised?
Reproduction
testes
Smallest cell, contains half the father’s genes
Tail for swimming
What is the red blood cell used for, where is it found and how is it specialised?
Carrying O2 around the body.
blood vessels.
lots of haemogloblin, red protein that can combine with oxygen.
biconcave shape to bend and get around quickly
2 million are born and die each second.
No nucleus more space for haemoglobin
where are nerve cells found and how are they specialised?
brain + spinal column
long fibre- axon
insulated w/ fatty myelin sheath to the impulse’s speed
What is the muscle cell used for and how is it specialised?
protein filaments slide over each other to cause muscle contraction.
Lots of mitochondria
Can do aerobic or anaerobic respiration
What is the palisade cell used for, where is it found and how is it specialised?
Main photosynthesis site
leaves
Many chloroplasts
regular shape
What is the root hair cell used for and how is it specialised?
Absorbing water/nutrients from ground
Long thin hair extends from cell, so larger SA
Thin walls- short diffusion distance
large vacuole 4 water storage
What is the xylem cell used for, where is it found and how is it specialised?
transports water
vascular bundle
Dead bc of lignin added to walls
reduced internal structure
What is the phloem cell used for, where is it found and how is it specialised?
transports photosynthesis products
phloem tissue in vascular bundle
no nucleus
holes at ends for continuous movement of water w/ sugar + minerals
What are ciliated epithelial cells used for, where are they found and how are they specialised?
Prevent germs entering respiratory system
respiratory system lining
Thin hairs - cilia - covered in mucus to trap bacteria
waft mucus to the stomach to be destroyed in HCL
What are cone cells used for, where are they found and how are they specialised?
eyes
detects light
Outer segment filled w/ visual pigment
lots of mitochondria
links up w/ a nerve cell
What are fat cells used for, where are they found and how are they specialised?
Store fat
fat tissue
Very little cytoplasm, size can increase, contains energy store
What are guard cells used for, where are they found and how are they specialised?
Used to control the amount of water lost in transpiration
Found in pairs, banana shape, ability to change shape, contains chloroplasts
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are unspecialised cells with the ability to duplicate / or duplicate and specialise
What type of cells can embryonic stem cells differentiate into?
Any type
