Cell Differentiation and Specialisation

• Cell differentiation and Cell specialisation

  A specialised cell is one that performs a specific function

  Cell differentiation is a process by which a cell changes to become

  specialised for its job
• Examples of specialised cells (in animals) - Sperm cell

  1. Specialised for reproduction 2. Streamlined head and long tail to swim 3.Many mitochondria (where respiration takes place) which supply the energy to allow the cell to move.
• Nerve Cell ( in animals) -

  1. Specialised to transmit electrical signals quickly from one place in the body to another 2. The axon is long, enabling the impulses to be carried along long distances
• Muscle Cells : Specialised to contract quickly

  Lots of Mitochondria to provide energy from respiration for contraction. They can store a chemical called glycogen that is used for respiration by Mitochondria.
• Root Hair Cells : Specialised for absorbing water and minerals


  They have a large surface area, due to root hairs meaning more water can move in. The large vacuole affects the speed of movement of water from the soil to the cell.