Specialised cells Flashcards
Describe how ciliate epithelia cell are adapted to their function?
● Cilia beat together to move along mucus, dust and bacteria.
● Mitochondria release energy from food to provide energy to make the cilia move.
Describe how sperm cells in animals are adapted to their function.
● Haploid nucleus contains genetic information.
● Tail enables movement.
● Mitochondria provide energy for tail movement.
● Acrosome contains enzymes that digest the egg cell membrane.
Describe how nerve cells in animals are adapted to their function.
● Long axon allows electrical impulses to be transmitted all over the body from the central nervous system.
● Dendrites from the cell body connect to and receive impulses from other nerve cells, muscles and glands.
● Myelin sheath insulates the axon and speeds up the transmission of impulses along the nerve cell.
Describe how muscle cells are adapted to their function.
● Arrangement of protein filaments allows them to slide over each other to produce muscle contraction.
● Mitochondria to provide energy for muscle contraction.
● Merged cells in skeletal muscle allow muscle fibre contraction in unison.
Describe how root hair cells in plants are adapted to their function.
● Large surface area to absorb nutrients and water from surrounding soil.
● Thin walls that do not restrict water absorption.
Describe how xylem cells in plants are adapted to their function.
● No upper or lower margins between cells to provide a continuous route for water to flow.
● Thick, woody side walls strengthen their structure and prevent collapse.
Describe how phloem cells in plants are adapted to their function.
● Sieve plates let dissolved amino acids and sugars be transported up and down the stem.
● Companion cells provide energy needed for active transport of substances along the phloem.
Describe how egg cells in animals are adapted to their function.
● Haploid nucleus contains genetic information.
● Cytoplasm packed with nutrients for the growth of the early embryo.
● Jelly coat protects the egg and hardens once fertilised to stop the entry of other sperm cells.
What is the difference between microvilli and cilia?
● Cilia are hair-like projections which can move by themselves to waft mucus along.
● Microvilli are multiple indentions of the small intestine cell membrane designed to increase the surface area for absorption. They cannot move by themselves.
