Cell differentiation

• Sperm cells are specialised for reproduction

  • get male DNA to female
  • long tail and streamlined head to help it swim
  • lots of mitochondria to provide energy
  • carries enzymes to digest through the egg cell membrane
• Nerve cells specialised for rapid signalling

  • function to carry electrical signals
  • cells are long to cover more distance
  • branched connections to connect to other nerve cells
  • for a network
• Muscle cells are specialised for contraction

  • function is to contract quickly
  • long- so have space to contract
  • contain lots of mitochondria to generate energy needed to contract
• Root hair cells specialised for absorbing water and minerals

  • on surface of plant roots
  • grow into long “hairs” that stick out into the soil
  • bigger surface area for absorbing from the soil
• Phloem and xylem cells are specialised for transporting substances

  • Tubes which transport food and water around plants
  • to form tubes plants are long and joined end to end
  • xylem cells are hollow in the centre
  • phloem cells have very few sub cellular structures so stuff can flow through them