Cell Specialization and Tissues

• We grew from a single-cell organism into a complex human. As we developed our cells become specialized 
• Specialized cells have physical and chemical difference that allow them to perform one job well
• Cell Specialization - found in multicellular organisms, the more cells an organism has, the more likely its cells are to be adapted to do a particular job
• Why Specialize?

  We need specialization because the body has different needs such as: waste disposal, energy and transportation. We need  specialized cells to carry out these specific functions
• Animal cell Specialization -  Three main factors influence cell specialization in animal cells: contents of the cell’s cytoplasm, environmental conditions like temp, the influence of neighboring cells
• Muscle Cells - long, thick structure that allows cell to change in size when it contracts, branching pattern increases muscle strength, lots of mitochondria supply the energy required to change shape
• Neurons - long threadlike branches, allows cells to receive and transmit signals from other cells throughout the body
• Neurons - long threadlike branches, allows cells to receive and transmit signals from other cells throughout the body
• Red Blood Cells - donut shape, dent in the middle provides a large surface area to carry oxygen, smooth so they can pass through blood vessels
• Bone cells - hard material containing minerals, strong enough to hold the cell together and provide support
• Skin  cells - thin, flat, layered cells, keeps in moisture and keeps out intruders
• Specialized plant cells - cells in the leaf of a tree have different structures and functions from the cells in the trunk