Differentiation and specialised cells

• What are specialized cells?

  Cells with specific roles in the body
• What is the process by which cells become specialized?

  Differentiation
• How many types of specialized cells are there approximately in humans?

  Around 200 types
• Name one type of specialized cell in animals.

  Sperm cell
• Name one type of specialized cell in plants.

  Root hair cell
• What is the role of a sperm cell?

  To deliver genetic material to an egg cell
• Why does a sperm cell have half as much genetic material?

  To combine with the egg's genetic material
• What adaptation helps a sperm cell swim?

  The tail structure called the flagellum
• Why do sperm cells have many mitochondria?

  To provide energy for swimming
• What do sperm cells have at the front to aid fertilization?

  Digestive enzymes to penetrate the egg
• What are the general characteristics of specialized cells?

  • Specific roles in the body
  • Unique shapes and structures
  • Different organelle compositions
• What is differentiation in the context of cells?

  The process by which cells become specialized
• What is the first cell in human development called?

  Zygote
• What happens to the zygote during early development?

  It divides by mitosis into multiple cells
• What is the significance of stem cells?

  They can differentiate into various specialized cells
• What is the process of differentiation in cells?

  1. Cells start as identical zygotes.
  2. They divide by mitosis.
  3. They undergo differentiation.
  4. They become specialized cells (e.g., muscle, nerve).
• What type of cells can differentiate into specialized cells?

  Stem cells
• What changes occur during differentiation?

  Shape, structure, and organelle composition change
• What is the main function of red blood cells?

  Transport oxygen throughout the body
• What is the main function of nerve cells?

  Transmit signals throughout the body
• How do specialized cells differ from each other?

  They have different shapes and structures
• What is the role of mitochondria in specialized cells?

  Provide energy for cellular functions
• What is the purpose of digestive enzymes in sperm cells?

  To penetrate the egg cell
• Why is the shape of specialized cells important?

  It helps them perform their specific functions
• How does the structure of a sperm cell relate to its function?

  Its streamlined shape aids in swimming