cell specialisation

• Cell Differentiation


  The process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its job
• Cell Specialisation


  The process of a cell becoming specialised for its job
• In most animal cells, the ability to differentiate is lost at an early stage, but many plant cells never lose this ability
• Five Types of Specialised Cells

  • Sperm cell
  • Nerve cell
  • Xylem and phloem
  • Muscle cell
  • Root hair cell
• Sperm cell


  • Long tail and streamlined head for swimming to the egg
• Nerve cell


  • Long to cover a large distance, and branched to form a network of connections
• Xylem and phloem


  • Xylem cells are hollow and phloem cells have few subcellular structures, so substances can easily flow through
• Muscle cell


  • Long so they have space to contract, and lots of mitochondria for energy
• Root hair cell


  • Large surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions from the soil