Cell Differentiation and Specialisation

• What is differentiation?

  Cells develop different subcellular structures in order to turn into a different type of cell
• When is the ability to differentiate lost in animal cells?

  At an early stage
• When is the ability to differentiate lost in plant cells?

  Never
• What are cells that differentiate used for in mature animals?

  Repairing and replacing cells
• What is the name for cells which are undifferentiated?

  Stem cells
• Give 6 examples of specialised cells in animals and plants

  • Sperm cells
  • Nerve cells
  • Muscle cells
  • Root hair cells
  • Phloem cells
  • Xylem cells
• How is a sperm cell specialised for it's function?

  • A long tail (flagellum) and a streamlined head to help it swim
  • Lots of mitochondria to produce the energy needed
  • Enzymes in the head to digest through the egg cell membrane
• How are nerve cells specialised for their function?

  • Long cells to cover distance
  • Branched connections at their ends to connect and form a network
• How are muscle cells specialised for their function?

  • Long to have space to contract
  • Lots of mitochondria to generate required energy
• How are root hair cells specialised for their function?

  • Large surface area for absorbing mineral ions and water from the soil
• How are phloem cells specialised to their function?

  • They join end to end forming tubes
  • They have very few subcellular structures to allow substances to flow through them
• How are xylem cells specialised for their function?

  • They join end to end to form tubes
  • They are hollow to allow substances to flow through them