SB1c: Specialised Cells Keywords Flashcards
Acrosome
A small vacuole in the tip of the head of a sperm cell, which contains enzymes.
Adaptation
The features that something has to enable it to do a certain function (job).
Adapted
If something has adaptations for a certain function (job), it is said to be adapted to that function.
Ciliates epithelial cell
A cell that lines certain tubes in the body and has cilia on its surface.
Cilium
A small hair-like structure on the surface of some cells. Plural is cilia.
Digestion
A process that breaks molecules into smaller, more soluble substances.
Diploid
Describes a cell that has two sets of chromosomes.
Egg cell
The female gamete (sex cell).
Embryo
The tiny new life that grows by cell division from a fertilised egg cell (zygote).
Enzyme
A substance that can speed up some processes in living things (e.g. breaking down molecules).
Epithelial cell
A cell found on the surfaces of parts of the body.
Fertilisation
Fusing of a male gamete with a female gamete.
Gamete
A cell used for sexual reproduction.
Haploid
Describes a cell that has one set of chromosomes.
Microvillus
A fold on the surface of a villus cell. These folds increase the surface area so that digested food is absorbed more quickly. Plural is microvilli.
