specialised cells and their functions

Question 1

how do cells specialise

Answer 1

cells specialise by undergoing differentiation

Question 2

what is differentiation

Answer 2

a process that involves the cell gaining new sub-cellular structures in order for it to be suited to its role

Question 3

when does cell differentiation occur

Answer 3

cells can either differentiate once vary on or have the ability to differentiate their whole life

Question 4

what are stem cells

Answer 4

stem cells are the cells that have the ability to differentiate their whole life

Question 5

what is different about cell differentiation in plants and animals

Answer 5

in animals, most cells only differentiate once, but in plants many cells retain the ability

Question 6

what is the sperm cell specialised to do

Answer 6

sperm cells are specialised to carry the males dna to the egg cell (ovum) for successful reproduction

Question 7

how is the sperm cells shape specialised towards its function

Answer 7

the sperm cell has a streamlined head and long tail to aid swimming

Question 8

why does the sperm cell have a lot of mitochondria

Answer 8

lots of mitochondria (where respiration happens) supplies the energy to allow the cell to move

Question 9

what is the acrosome

Answer 9

the acrosome is the top of the sperm cells head has digestive enzymes which break down the outer layers of membrane of the egg cell

Question 10

what is different about the nucleus of a sperm cell

Answer 10

the sperm cell has a haploid nucleus, which simply means that it has 23 chromosomes rather than the 46 that most other body cells have

Question 11

what is the egg cell specialised to do

Answer 11

egg cells are specialised to accept a single sperm cell and develop into an embryo

Question 12

how is the egg cells membrane specialised to its function

Answer 12

the egg cell is surrounded by a special cell membrane which can only accept one sperm cell during fertilisation and becomes impermeable following this

Question 13

what is the function of the mitochondria in the egg cell

Answer 13

lots of mitochondria works as an energy source forts he developing embryo

Question 14

how does the size of the egg cell contribute to its function

Answer 14

the large size and abundant amount of cytoplasm allows quick repeat division as the embryo grows

Question 15

what are ciliated epithelial cells specialised to do

Answer 15

ciliated epithelial cells are specialised to waft bacteria (trapped by mucus) to the stomach

Question 16

how do cili contribute to the ciliated epithelial cells function

Answer 16

cilia are long, hair-like structures which waft bacteria trapped by sticky mucus (produced by near by goblet cells) down to the stomach where they are killed by the stomach acid.

Question 17

what is the purpose of the cilia wafting bacteria tot he stomach

Answer 17

the bacteria is killed by the stomach acid which is one of the ways our body protects against illnesses

Question 18

what are root hair cells specialised to do

Answer 18

root hair cells are specialised to take up water by osmosis and mineral ions by active transport from the soil as they are found in the tips of roots

Question 19

what does the surface area mean in a root hair cell

Answer 19

having a large surface area due to root hairs means more water can move in

Question 20

what do vacuoles mean in a root hair cell

Answer 20

the large permanent vacuole affects the speed of movement of water from the soil to cell

Question 21

what do mitochondria contribute to a root hair cell

Answer 21

mitochondria provide energy from respiration for the active transport of mineral ions into the root hair cell

Question 22

what are xylem cells specialised to do

Answer 22

xylem cells are specialised to transport water and mineral ions up the plant from the roots to the shoots

Question 23

what is lignin and how does it contribute to xylem cells

Answer 23

lignin causes cells to die. they become hollow and are joined end-to-end to form a continuous tube so water and mineral ions can move through

Question 24

how is lignin deposited

Answer 24

lignin is deposited in spirals which helps the cells withstand the pressure fr the movement of water

Question 25

what are phloem cells specialised to do

Answer 25

phloem cells are specialised to carry the products of photosynthesis (food) to all parts of the plants

Question 26

how do cell walls contribute to the function of the phloem cell

Answer 26

cell walls of each cell form structures called sieve plates when they break down, allowing the movement of substances from cell to cell

Question 27

how is the energy for phloem cells provided

Answer 27

despite losing many sub cellular structures, the energy these cells need to be alive is supplied by the mitochondria of the companion cells