Specialised Cells Flashcards
Why are most cells specialised?
For their specific function
What 3 ways are palisade leaf cells adapted for photosynthesis?
Packed with chloroplasts near the top of the cell (nearer the light), tall shape = large surface area for absorbing C02, and thin shape means you can pack a lot of them in at the top of a leaf
Where does most of the photosynthesis happen in a leaf?
At the top of it
Why are palisade leaf cells packed together at the top of the leaf?
Because that is where most of the photosynthesis happens
What are palisade leaf cells adapted for?
Photosynthesis
What are guard cells adapted for?
To open and close pores
What is special about the shape of a guard cell?
It is a kidney shape which opens and closes the stomata in a leaf
What do guard cells do when a plant is short of water?
They lose water and become flaccid making the stomata (pores) close to stop too much water vapour from escaping
What are red blood cells adapted to do?
Carry oxygen
What 3 ways are red blood cells adapted for their function?
Concave shape = big surface area for absorbing oxygen, they are packed with haemoglobin which absorbs oxygen and they have no nucleus which leaves room for more haemoglobin
What are sperm cells adapted to do?
Get the male DNA to the female DNA
What 3 ways are sperm cells adapted for their function?
A long tail and streamlined head to help it swim, it has lots of mitochondria to provide the energy needed, and it carries enzymes in its head to digest through the cell membrane
Why do muscle cells need a lot of mitochondria?
Mitochondria release energy which muscles need for movement
