Differentiated and specialised cells

• Differentiation


  The process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its job
• How are sperm cells specialised for their function

  Has a long tail and a streamlined head to help it swim to the egg.

  There are lots of mitochondria in the cell to provide the energy needed.

  Enzymes in its head to digest through the egg cell membrane
• How are muscle cells specialised for their function?

  they are long and contain lots of mitochondria so they have energy for contracting
• Why are nerve cells specialised for their function?


  They are long so they can cover more distance.

  They have branched connections at their ends to connect to other nerve cells and form a network throughout the body
• Why are root hair cells specialused for their function?

  Root Hair cells are on the surface of plant roots which grow into long “root hairs” that stick out into the soil. This gives the plant a bigger surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions from the soil
• How are phloem and xylem cells specialised for their function?

  They form phloem and xylem tubes which transport substances such as food and water around plants.

  *To form the tubes the cells are long and join end to end

  *Xylem cells are very hollow in the centre and Phloem cells have very few subcellular structures, so substances can transport through them