Topic 1 - Specialisation in animal cells Flashcards
What does it mean if a cell is specialised?
It has adapted to perform a particular function within the cell
What does it mean if a cell differentiates?
The cells become different from each other. Eg when a cell becomes specialised
How are Nerve cells specialised?
To carry electrical impulses
What are the features of a nerve cell?
- Dendrites
- Axon
- Synapses
- Mitochondria
What do dendrites do?
Make connections to other nerve cells
What do axons do?
Carries an electric impulse from one place to another
What do synapses do?
Pass impulses to other cells by producing transmitter chemicals such as serotonin
What do the mitochondria do in nerve cells?
Found in the synapse to transfer energy needed to make the transmitter chemicals
How are muscle cells specialised?
To contract and relax
What are the features of a muscle cell?
- Special proteins
- Mitochondria
- Store of glycogen
What do special proteins do?
slide over each other
What do mitochondria do in the muscle cell?
To transfer the energy needed for chemical reactions
What does the store of glycogen do?
It can be broken down and used in respiration to transfer energy
How are sperm cells specialised?
To move through water or the female reproductive system to reach the egg
What are the features of the sperm cell?
- Long tail
- Middle section
- Acrosome
- Large nucleus
What does the long tail do?
Whips from side to side to move the sperm
What does the middle section do?
It is full of mitochondria to transfer energy needed by the tail to move
What does the acrosome do?
Stores the digestive enzymes to break down the outer layers of the egg
What does the large nucleus do?
Contains genetic infomation
