specialisation in plant cells

• Photosynthetic cells

  1. Can make their own food by photosynthesis

  2. Contain chloroplasts with chlorophyll, positioned in layers to absorb light, and have a large permanent vacuole for rigidity and support
• Learning objectives

  • How plant cells may be specialised to carry out a particular function
  • How the structure of different types of plant cells relates to their function
• Root hair cells

  1. Found close to the tips of growing roots to help plants take up water and mineral ions efficiently

  2. Have adaptations to increase surface area for water movement, large permanent vacuole for osmosis, and many mitochondria for active transport of mineral ions
• Animals are not the only organisms to have cells specialised for a particular function within a tissue or an organ. Plants also have very specialised cells with clear adaptations for the job they carry out
• Specialised plant cells

  • Root hair cell
  • Photosynthetic plant cell
  • Xylem cell
• Xylem cells

  1. Transport water and mineral ions from roots to leaves and shoots, important for plant support

  2. Xylem cells are adapted with lignin in cell walls for support and transport function
• A cell within the trunk of a tree cannot carry out photosynthesis
• Plant cells may be specialised to function within tissues, organs, organ systems, or whole organisms
• Xylem


  Specialised tissue that transports water and mineral ions in plants
• Xylem cells

  • Adapted with lignin in spirals in cell walls, forming long hollow tubes for easy water and mineral ion movement, providing strength to withstand water pressure and support the plant stem
• Phloem cells are supported by companion cells that help keep them alive and transfer the energy needed for food transport
• Phloem


  Specialised transport tissue that carries food made by photosynthesis in plants
• Phloem cells


  • Form tubes for food transport, do not lignify or die, have sieve plates for free movement of dissolved food up and down the tubes
• Plant cells may be specialised to carry out particular functions such as root hair cells, photosynthetic cells, xylem cells, and phloem cells