The Organisation and Specialisation of Cells

Question 1

How are erythrocytes specialised to carry out their function?

Answer 1

• flattened, biconcave shape increases the surface area: volume ratio which is essential for transporting oxygen around the body
• No nuclei, which increases the space available in the cell for the oxygen-carrying haemoglobin

Question 2

What type of cell is an erythrocyte?

Answer 2

A red blood cell

Question 3

What type of cell is a neutrophil?

Answer 3

A white blood cell

Question 4

How are neutrophil cells specialised to carry out their function

Answer 4

• Multilobed nucleus which allows them to squeeze through tight spaces in order to reach the site of infection
• Granular cytoplasm containing many lysosome which contains enzymes which attack pathogens

Question 5

What type of cell is the sperm cell?

Answer 5

Male gamete

Question 6

How are sperm cells specialised to carry out their function?

Answer 6

• Flagellum which makes them capable of movement
• Many mitochondria which provides the energy needed to swim
• Acrosome on the sperm head which contains digestive enzymes which are released to digest the protective layers around the ovum so that the sperm can penetrate it and fertilisation can occur

Question 7

How are pallisade cells specialised to carry out their function?

Answer 7

• Chlorplasts which absorb light for photosynthesis
• The chlorosplasts can move around in the cytoplasm to absorb more light
• Thin cell walls to increase the rate of diffusion of carbon dioxide

Question 8

How are the guard cells specialised to carry out their function?

Answer 8

• Becomesless swollen when it loses water due to osmotic forces. This changes the shape of the guard cells and closes the stomata to prevent further water loss from the plant

Question 9

How are the squamous epithelium cells specialised to carry out their function?

Answer 9

• Very thin due to squamous cells and being one cell thick, they line the lungs and this allows for rapid diffusion of oxygen to the blood

Question 10

How are ciliated epithelial cells specialised to carry out their function?

Answer 10

• Goblet cells release mucus which traps any unwanted bacteria and particles from the air and prevents them from reaching the alveoli
• Cilia lines the surface of the cells. It has a ‘hair-like structure’ and sweeps the mucus away from the lungs

Question 11

Name the 6 examples of tissues in the body

Answer 11

1. Squamous Epithelia
2. Ciliated Epithelia
3. Cartilage tissue
4. Musle tissue
5. Xylem tissue
6. Phloem Tissue

Question 12

Give the order of the levels of organisation in multicellular organisms

Answer 12

Specialised cell > Tissues > Organs > Organ System > Whole Organism