cell (specialisation,differentiation)

• do sperm cells have a nucelus

  yes they have a nucleus
• What is the function of the tail in sperm cells?

  It enables movement
• What role do mitochondria play in sperm cells?

  They provide energy for tail movement
• What is contained in the acrosome of sperm cells?

  Enzymes that digest the egg cell membrane
• What is the function of a long axon in nerve cells?


  It allows electrical impulses to be transmitted all over the body
• How do dendrites function in nerve cells?

  They connect to and receive impulses from other nerve cells, muscles, and glands
• What is the purpose of the myelin sheath in nerve cells?

  It insulates the axon and speeds up the transmission of impulses
• How are muscle cells adapted for contraction?

  The arrangement of protein filaments allows them to slide over each other
• What is the role of mitochondria in muscle cells?

  They provide energy for muscle contraction
• Why are merged cells important in skeletal muscle?

  They allow muscle fibre contraction in unison
• What adaptation do root hair cells have for nutrient absorption?

  They have a large surface area
• Why do root hair cells have thin walls?

  To not restrict water absorption
• What is the purpose of thick, woody side walls in xylem cells?

  To strengthen their structure and prevent collapse
• What function do sieve plates serve in phloem cells?

  They let dissolved amino acids and sugars be transported
• What is the role of companion cells in phloem?

  They provide energy needed for active transport of substances
• What is cell differentiation?

  The process by which cells become specialised
• Why is cell differentiation important?

  It allows production of different tissues and organs
• When do most animal cells differentiate?


  Early in their life cycle
• For how long do plant cells retain the ability to differentiate?

  Throughout their entire life cycle
• What is the purpose of cell division in mature animals?

  Repair and replacement of cells
• What changes occur in a cell as it differentiates?

  It becomes specialised through acquisition of different sub-cellular structures
• What are the adaptations of sperm cells in animals?

  • Haploid nucleus contains genetic information
  • Tail enables movement
  • Mitochondria provide energy for tail movement
  • Acrosome contains enzymes that digest the egg cell membrane
• What are the adaptations of nerve cells in animals?

  • Long axon transmits electrical impulses
  • Dendrites connect to receive impulses
  • Myelin sheath insulates axon and speeds up transmission
• What are the adaptations of muscle cells?

  • Arrangement of protein filaments allows contraction
  • Mitochondria provide energy for contraction
  • Merged cells allow contraction in unison
• What are the adaptations of root hair cells in plants?

  • Large surface area for nutrient and water absorption
  • Thin walls to facilitate water absorption
• What are the adaptations of xylem cells in plants?

  • No upper or lower margins for continuous water flow
  • Thick, woody side walls for structural strength
• What are the adaptations of phloem cells in plants?

  • Sieve plates for transport of amino acids and sugars
  • Companion cells provide energy for active transport
• What is the significance of cell differentiation?

  • Allows production of specialized tissues and organs
  • Vital for various functions in the human body
• How does cell differentiation differ in animals and plants?

  • Most animal cells differentiate early in their life cycle
  • Plant cells can differentiate throughout their entire life cycle
• What changes occur in a cell during differentiation?

  • Acquisition of different sub-cellular structures
  • Specialization for specific functions