Specialised Cells Flashcards
What are palisade leaf cells specifically adapted for?
Photosynthesis.
Where are the chloroplasts crammed in a palisade leaf cell? Top or bottom?
The top because they’re more exposed to light at the top of the leaf.
Palisade leaf cells are tall. How does the tallness of the cell help it to achieve its purpose of absorbing CO2 from the air in the leaf?
The tallness increases the surface area of the leaf. An increased surface area means more of the cell is exposed to the CO2 in the leaf, so more CO2 can be absorbed.
The thinness of the palisade leaf cells is beneficial because?
More of them can be crammed at the top of the leaf.
In summary, the main 3 adaptions of a palisade leaf cell are?
Tall = larger surface area, absorb CO2 from inside leaf
Thin = so lots can be crammed together
Located at the top of the plant = exposed to light
TTT = Tall, Thin, Top.
What are guard cells in leaves adapted for?
They’re efficient at controlling water loss & gas exchange.
What does a guard cell do if the plant has a lot of water?
The guard cells fill up with the water and go plump/turgid.
Because there’s a lot of water, the stomata open so gases can be exchanged for photosynthesis.
What does a guard cell do if there is a shortage of water in the plant?
The guard cells lose water and turn soft/loose.
Because there isn’t a lot of water, the stomate close so little water vapour is lost.
At night, less photosynthesis occurs, what do the guard cells do at night?
Stomata close to prevent water loss.
Guard cells have ____ outer walls and _____ inner walls to make the opening and closing work.
THIN outer walls and THICKENED inner walls.
What shape are red blood cells? How is this beneficial to the purpose of the cell?
Concave - larger surface area, more oxygen can be absorbed and they can pass smoothly through capillaries to reach body cells.
What are red blood cells packed with?
A pigment called haemoglobin, this pigment absorbs oxygen.
Why don’t red blood cells have a nucleus?
So that the red blood cells have more room for haemoglobin, therefore they can absorb more oxygen.
What’s the main function of an egg cell?
To carry DNA and nourish the developing embryo.
How is the egg cell adapted to its function?
To nourish the embryo, it has huge food reserves.
