Cell differentiation and Specialisation

• Differentiation is the process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its function.
• Sperm cells are specialised for reproduction.
• Nerve cells are specialised for rapid signalling.
• Muscle cells are specialised for contraction.
• Root hair cells are specialised for absorbing water and minerals.
• Phloem and xylem cells are specialised for transporting substances.
• how are sperm cells adapted for reproduction?

  • long tail and streamlined head to help swim to the egg
  • mitochondria for energy needed
  • carries enzymes in head to help digest through egg cell membrane
• how are nerve cells adapted for rapid signalling?

  • long to cover more distance
  • have branched connections at ends to connect to other nerve cells from a network
• how are muscle cells adapted for contraction?

  • long so have space to contract
  • mitochondria to generate energy needed
• how are root hair cells adapted to absorb water and minerals?

  long hairs that stick into soil for more surface area
• how is the xylem cells adapted for transporting substances?

  hollow in the centre to allow water to flow through
• how is the phloem cell adapted for transporting substances?


  very few subcellular structures so that food can flow through them