Cell Differentiation and Specialisation

• Cells that differentiate in mature animals are mainly used for repairing and replacing cells
• undifferentiated cells are called stem cells
• Sperm cells are specialised for reproduction
• sperm cells have a long tail and streamlined head to help it swim. it contains a lot of mitochondria to provide the energy needed.
• Nerve cells are specialised for rapid signalling
• Nerve cells carry electrical signals. These cells are long and have branched connections at their ends.
• muscle cells are specialised for contraction
• Muscle cells are long and contain lots of mitochondria to generate the energy needed for contraction
• root hair cells are specialised for absorbing water and minerals
• Phloem and xylem cells are specialised for transporting substances
• Xylem cells are hollow in the centre and phloem cells have very few subcellular structures so that stuff can flow through them