Plant Cell Specialisation

• Differentiation


  The process where cells become specialized
• Root hair cells specialised for absorbing water and minerals 


  • grow long hairs Increase the surface area of the root to absorb water and dissolved minerals more effectively
  • Do not contain chloroplasts as they are found underground and do not recieve light for photosynthesis
• Xylem cells transporting water and minerals


  • Have very thick walls containing lignin to provide support
  • Have no internal structures like nucleus, cytoplasm, vacuole or chloroplasts to allow easy flow of water and dissolved minerals.
  • Cells are joined end to end to form TUBES to transport water and minerals in plants.
  • They are HOLLOW for easy flow.
  • They are made up of dead cells strengthened with LIGNIN.
• Phloem cells specialised for transporting food substances

  • Have pores called sieve plates in the end walls to allow dissolved sugars to move through.
  • Cells are joined end to end to form TUBES to transport food in plants.
  • They have very FEW SUBCELLULAR STRUCTURES to help substances flow through easily.
• Xylem cells form long tubes that carry water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the leaves
• Phloem tubes carry dissolved sugars up and down the plant