Specialised cells

• Sperm cell

  • Acrosome - has digestive enzymes on the head which breakdown the outer layer of the egg
  • Lots of mitochondria - supplies energy to allow movement
  • Streamlined head and tail - helps with swimming
• Nerve cell

  • Dendrite - branched connections can form with other nerve cells
  • Long - enables impulses to be carried for long distances
  • Lots of mitochondria - supplies energy to make neurotransmitters, this allos the impulse to be carried from one cell to another
• Muscle cell

  • Lots of mitochondria - supplies energy for contractions
  • Special proteins and cell is long - allows for muscle to contract
• Root hair cell

  • Large vacuole - affects speed of movement of water from soil to cell
  • Large surface area - more water and mineral ions absorbed from soil
• Xylem

  • Lignin - causes cells to become hallow meaning cells are joined end-to-end which forms a continuous tube
• Phloem

  • Few subcellular structures - substances can easily flow through
  • Sieve plates - holes in the end cell walls, which allows substances to easily flow through