plant cell specialisation

• What are the three specialized plant cells ?

  Root hair cells, xylem cells, and phloem cells
• What is the process called when cells become specialized?

  Differentiation
• What are the three key structures of a general plant cell?

  Chloroplasts, cellulose cell wall, and permanent vacuole
• How are root hair cells specialized for their function?

  • Increase surface area for water absorption
  • Lack chloroplasts since they are underground
• What is the function of root hair cells?

  To absorb water and dissolved minerals
• Why do root hair cells not contain chloroplasts?

  Because they are underground and do not carry out photosynthesis
• What are the key features of xylem cells?

  • Thick walls containing lignin for support
  • End walls have broken down to form long tubes
  • No nucleus, cytoplasm, vacuole, or chloroplasts
• What do xylem cells transport?

  Water and dissolved minerals
• What is the significance of lignin in xylem cells?

  It provides support to the plant
• What happens to xylem cells when they are sealed with lignin?

  They die
• How are phloem cells specialized for their function?

  • Consist of phloem vessel cells and companion cells
  • Phloem vessel cells have no nucleus and limited cytoplasm
  • End walls have sieve plates for sugar movement
• What do phloem cells transport?

  Dissolved sugars
• What are sieve plates in phloem vessel cells?

  Pores in the end walls that allow dissolved sugars to move
• What is the role of companion cells in phloem?

  To provide energy to phloem vessel cells
• What do phloem vessel cells lack?

  No nucleus and limited cytoplasm
• What are the differences between xylem and phloem cells?

  • Xylem: transports water and minerals, has thick walls with lignin, no internal structures
  • Phloem: transports dissolved sugars, has sieve plates, and companion cells for energy