1.1.3 Cell specialisation

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Cards (8)

cell: Sperm cell
Function: Fertilise an egg
How is its structure related to its function?
● Long tail / flagellum → allows sperm to swim towards egg
● Many mitochondria → increase rate of respiration to release energy for swimming
cell: Nerve cell
Function: Carry electrical impulses
How is its structure related to its function?
● Long → carry electrical impulses / signals over long distances
● Many branches → connect to many other cells forming a network
● Insulation → speeds up transmission of impulses
cell: Muscle cell
Function: Contract
How is its structure related to its function?
● Many mitochondria → increase rate of respiration to release energy for contraction
cell: Root hair cell
Function: Absorb water & mineral ions from soil
How is its structure related to its function?
● Long projection → increase surface area for absorption of water by osmosis
● Many mitochondria → increase rate of respiration to release energy for active
transport of mineral ions
cell: Xylem cell
Function: Transport water & mineral ions from roots to leaves
How is its structure related to its function?
● Lignin in cell wall → strength to withstand pressure of water moving
● Hollow tubes / no cytoplasm → water / mineral ions move easily
● End walls between cells broken down → cells form a long tube so water /mineral ions can flow easily
cell: Phloem cell
Function: Transport dissolved sugars up & down plant
How is its structure related to its function?
● No nucleus → maximise space for movement of dissolved sugars
● Pores in end walls → dissolved sugars can move from cell to cell
Root hair cells do not contain
chloroplasts. Suggest why. (1)
● Not exposed to light / do not photosynthesise
Suggest how a cell in the salivary
glands would be adapted for
producing amylase (enzyme). (2)
● Many ribosomes
○ Ribosomes produce protein / amylase is a protein
● Many mitochondria
○ Mitochondria release energy to make protein