Animal Cell Specialisation

• Most animal cells are specialised (ie they have adaptations which help them to carry out their particular function). The process of a cell becoming specialised is called differentiation
• Sperm cells also contain enzymes which allow them to digest their way through the outer layer of the egg cell.
• The job of a sperm cell is to join with an egg cell. This process is called fertilisation.
• Sperm cells contain their genetic information in the nucleus, however it only contains half the genetic information of a normal cell.
• Sperm cells also have a flagellum (tail) which allows them to swim to the egg cell. They are streamlined in order to make this easier.
• Sperm cells are packed full of mitochondria which provide the energy needed for swimming.
• This is a diagram of a sperm cell.

  A) Nucleus

  B) Flagellum

  C) Mitochondria

  D) Enzymes

  
• The job of a nerve cell is to spend electrical impulses around the body. The axon carries the electrical impulses from one part of the body to another.
• The myelin sheath insulates the axon and speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses.
• The end of the axon has synapses. These are junctions which allow the impulse to pass from one nerve cell to another.
• The cell body of a nerve cell has dendrites which increase the surface area so that other nerve cells can connect more easily.
• This is a diagram of a nerve cell.

  A) Dendrites

  B) Axon

  C) Synapses

  D) Myelin Sheath

  
• Muscle cells can contract (get shorter) which is done through the usage of protein fibres shortening which can decrease the length of the cell.
• Muscle cells are also packed full of mitochondria to provide energy for muscle contraction. They work together in order to form muscle tissue.
• Most types of animal cell differentiate at an early stage