Specialised cells (animal and plant cells)

Question 1

What is the function of a nerve cell?

Answer 1

To send electrical pulses from the brain to different parts of the body.

Question 2

What are the adaptations of a nerve cell?

Answer 2

Adaptations: Long and thin, has many branches. These adaptations help to shorten the time in which it takes for electrical pulses to be sent around the body; helps efficiency.

Question 3

What is the function of a muscle cell?

Answer 3

Function: To contract and release.

Question 4

What are the adaptations of a muscle cell?

Answer 4

Adaptations: Lots of mitochondria, large surface area, long, space for contractions. These adaptations mean that the muscle has energy for contractions and can efficiently contract and release.

Question 5

What is the function of a sperm cell?

Answer 5

Function: To fertilise eggs.

Question 6

What are the adaptations of a sperm cell?

Answer 6

Adaptations: Tail, mitochondria, acrosome which contains enzymes to digest the egg cell membrane. These adaptations help the sperm quickly find the egg and fertilise it.

Question 7

What is the function of an egg cell?

Answer 7

Function: Carry the set the set of chromosomes.

Question 8

What are the adaptations of an egg cell?

Answer 8

Adaptations: The egg cell’s cytoplasm contains nutrients for the growth of the early embryo, the haploid nucleus contains genetic material for fertilisation, the cell membrane changes after fertilisation by a single sperm so that no more sperm can enter. These adaptations ensure that the development of the embryo is efficient and effective.

Question 9

What is the function of a red blood cell?

Answer 9

Function: To carry oxygen.

Question 10

What are the adaptations of a red blood cell?

Answer 10

Adaptations: No nucleus, biconcave shape. These adaptations mean a larger surface area and more space for haemoglobin and higher rates of gas exchange (oxygen).

Question 11

Where are ciliated cells found and what is the function?

Answer 11

Ciliated cells are found in the airways. They have tiny hairs on their tops called cilia which beat in a rhythm. These hairs move mucus containing dust and other particles upwards and out of the airways. Ciliated cells are also found in the oviducts, here the tiny hairs beat to move the egg from the ovaries to the uterus.

Function: To move objects in one direction.

Question 12

What are the adaptations of ciliated cells?

Answer 12

Adaptations: Have cilia (hair-like structures), which beat in a coordinated way to shift material along the surface of the epithelium tissue Goblet cells secrete mucus which helps to trap dust, dirt and microorganisms - preventing them from entering vital organs where they may cause infection. These adaptations make them effective at moving objects are an important aspect of the respiratory system and fighting infection.

Question 13

What are the function of villi cells and where are they found?

Answer 13

Villi are found in both the small and large intestines and they absorb digested food and water into the blood.

Question 14

What are the adaptations of the villi?

Answer 14

They have a large surface area.
They have thin walls which are only one cell thick.
The cells of the lining have tiny hairs to absorb more food and water.

Question 15

What is the function of root hair cells?

Answer 15

To absorb water and minerals

Question 16

What are the adaptations of a root hair cell?

Answer 16

Large surface area
Thinner walls to allow water to easily pass through
Many mitochondria ass the water is absorbed via active transport
Large vacuole

Question 17

What is the function of palisade cells?

Answer 17

To be the site of photosynthesis

Question 18

What are the adaptations of palisade cells?

Answer 18

Contain lots of chloroplasts (which contain chlorophyll, the chemical that allows photo synthesis to occur.
They are situated at the top of the leaves for maximum sunlight

Question 19

What is the function of the xylem cells?

Answer 19

To transport water from the roots to other parts of the plant.

Question 20

What are the adaptations of the xylem cells?

Answer 20

Xylem cells die and their ends break down. This allows them to form long hollow tubes to carry water upwards for photosynthesis.
They have thick cell walls to provide support to the plant. This holds the leaves up for photosynthesis and the flowers up for reproduction.

Question 21

What is the function of the phloem cells?

Answer 21

Phloem cells transport glucose from the leaves to the rest of the plant or transport minerals. (either direction)

Question 22

What are the adaptations of phloem cells?

Answer 22

Unlike xylem cells, phloem cells are alive.
Next to the phloem cells are companion cells which have many mitochondria. Here respiration occurs to release energy from glucose to transport sugar and other substances in the phloem.