Specialised Animal Cells

Question 1

Erythrocytes carry oxygen in the blood. How are erythrocytes specialised for its function?

Answer 1

• Oxygen enters by diffusion and their biconcave disc shape provides a large surface area for gas exchange.

• They have no nucleus so there’s more room for haemoglobin to carry oxygen.

Question 2

Neutrophils defend the body against disease. How are they specialised for its function?

Answer 2

• Their lobed nucleus helps them squeeze through tight spaces and migrate quickly to sites of infection.

• They’re attracted to infection sites by chemotaxis.

• Their flexible shape allows them to engulf pathogens.

Question 3

Fill in the blank:
Ciliated epithelia contains goblet cells which produces _____ to trap bacteria. Ciliated epithelia also has _____ that beat to move mucus away.

Answer 3

Ciliated epithelia contains goblet cells which produces (mucus) to trap bacteria. Ciliated epithelia also has (cilia) that beat to move mucus away.

Question 4

Fill in the blank:
Squamous epithelia (e.g. in the lungs) are very ____ to allow efficient _________ of gases.

Answer 4

Squamous epithelia (e.g. in the lungs) are very (thin) to allow efficient (diffusion) of gases.

Question 5

Sperm cells swim to the egg (female sex cell). How are they specialised for its function?

Answer 5

• They have a flagellum for movement.

• They have many mitochondria to provide the energy to swim.

• The acrosome contains digestive enzymes to enable the sperm to penetrate the surface of the egg.