Specialised Cells Flashcards

(areas covered: specialised cells, structures/functions of egg, sperm and ciliated epithelial cells)

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1
Q

What are specialised cells?

A

Cells that have structures which make them adapted to their function

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2
Q

List 3 examples of specialised cells.

A
  • Egg cells
  • Sperm cells
  • Ciliated epithelial cells
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3
Q

What are egg cells and sperm cells specialised for?

A

Reproduction

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4
Q

Describe how an egg cell and sperm cell interact during the process of sexual reproduction.

A
  • Nucleus of egg cell fuses with nucleus of sperm cell to create a fertilised egg
  • This develops into an embryo
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5
Q

What are the functions of an egg cell?

A
  • Carry female DNA
  • Nourish developing embryo during early stages
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6
Q

Explain the ways in which an egg cell is adapted to carry out its function.

A
  • Contains nutrients in cytoplasm to feed embryo
  • Its membrane hardens after fertilisation, stopping excess sperm from getting in - this ensures offspring end up with correct amount of DNA
  • Has a haploid nucleus
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7
Q

What is the function of a sperm cell?

A

To transport the male’s DNA to the female’s egg

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8
Q

Explain the ways in which a sperm cell is adapted to carry out its function.

A
  • Has a long tail so it can swim to the egg
  • Has lots of mitochondria in middle section that release energy from respiration and allow it to swim
  • Has an acrosome at the front of its ‘head’, where it stores enzymes needed to digest the membrane of egg cell
  • Contains a haploid nucleus
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9
Q

Why is it important both the egg cell and sperm cell have a haploid nucleus?

A

When their nuclei combine at fertilisation, the resulting cell will have the correct number of chromosomes

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10
Q

What is the function of ciliated epithelial cells?

A

To move substances

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11
Q

Explain the ways in which ciliated epithelial cells are adapted to carry out their function.

A
  • They line the surfaces of organs
  • Some have cilia on top surface of cell
  • Cilia beat to move substances in one direction, along surface of tissue
  • (e.g. they line the airways to move mucus up to the throat to be swallowed)
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