Cell specialisation

• What is cell specialization?


  It is the process where a cell changes to become specialized for its job.
• What is cell differentiation?


  Cell differentiation is the process where a cell changes to become specialized for its job.
• Do most animal cells retain the ability to differentiate?


  No, most animal cells lose the ability to differentiate.
• Do plant cells lose the ability to differentiate?


  No, plant cells never lose this ability.
• What are the five types of specialized cells?

  1. Sperm cell - reproduction
  2. Nerve cell - rapid signaling
  3. Xylem cell - transporting substances
  4. Muscle cell - contraction
  5. Root hair cell - absorb water and minerals
• What is the function of a sperm cell?


  The function of a sperm cell is reproduction.
• What adaptations does a sperm cell have for swimming?


  A sperm cell has a long tail and a streamlined head to help it swim.
• What is the role of a nerve cell?


  The role of a nerve cell is rapid signaling.
• What adaptations does a nerve cell have for covering large distances?


  A nerve cell has a long axon and is branched to form a network of connections.
• What is the function of xylem cells?


  The function of xylem cells is to transport substances.
• What is a key structural feature of xylem cells?


  Xylem cells are hollow with few subcellular structures, allowing substances to flow through easily.
• What is the function of muscle cells?


  The function of muscle cells is contraction.
• What adaptations do muscle cells have for contraction?

  Muscle cells are long to provide space for contraction and have many mitochondria for energy.
• What is the function of root hair cells?


  The function of root hair cells is to absorb water and minerals.
• What adaptations do root hair cells have for absorption?


  Root hair cells have a large surface area and many mitochondria to provide energy for active transport.
• What is differentiation in the context of cell biology?


  The process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its job
• How does the ability to differentiate differ between animal and plant cells?


  Most animal cells lose the ability to differentiate early, while many plant cells retain this ability
• What are the five types of specialised cells mentioned?

  1. Sperm cell – reproduction
  2. Nerve cell – rapid signalling
  3. Xylem and phloem – transporting substances
  4. Muscle cell – contraction
  5. Root hair cell – absorbing water and minerals
• What is the function of a sperm cell?


  Reproduction
• What adaptations does a sperm cell have for its function?


  It has a long tail and streamlined head for swimming to the egg
• What is the primary function of a nerve cell?


  Rapid signalling
• How is a nerve cell adapted for its function?


  It is long to cover a large distance and branched to form a network of connections
• What are the functions of xylem and phloem cells?


  Transporting substances
• What is the function of muscle cells?


  Contraction
• How are muscle cells adapted for their function?


  They are long to have space to contract and contain many mitochondria for energy
• What is the role of root hair cells?


  Absorbing water and minerals
• How are root hair cells adapted for their function?


  They have a large surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions from the soil
• What is a key structural feature of xylem cells?


  Xylem cells are hollow
• What is a key structural feature of phloem cells?


  Phloem cells have few subcellular structures
• What are stem cells?


  Undifferentiated cells that can divide to produce more stem cells and differentiate into many other types of cell
• What types of cells can stem cells from adult bone marrow become?


  Many kinds of cells, e.g., blood cells
• What types of cells can stem cells from a human embryo become?


  Any kind of human cell
• What types of cells can stem cells from a plant meristem become?


  Any kind of plant cell
• What are some uses of stem cells in medicine?


  • Producing nerve cells to treat paralysis
  • Creating insulin-producing cells to treat diabetes
  • Therapeutic cloning to avoid rejection
• How can stem cells be used in plants?


  • Produce clones of whole plants quickly
  • Grow more plants cheaply
• What is the process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its job called?

  Differentiation
• What happens to cells as they differentiate?


  They develop different structures and turn into different types of cells
• When does most differentiation occur?


  As an organism develops
• What is the main purpose of differentiation in mature animals?


  To create and replace cells such as skin or blood cells
• What are undifferentiated cells called?


  Stem cells