cell differentiation and specialisation

• Sperm cells

  • take male DNA to the egg
  • has a tail to help it swim
  • lots of mitochondria to provide energy for swimming
• Muscle cells

  • cells are long so they have space to contract
  • lots of mitochondria which provide energy for contracting
• Nerve cells

  • carry electrical signals around the body
  • long to cover more distance
  • branches at the end to connect to other nerve cells
• Root hair cells

  • absorb water and minerals
  • grow into long ‘hairs’ that stick out into the soil
  • this gives the plant a big surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions
• Phloem cells and Xylem cells

  • phloem transport food
  • xylem transport water
  • form phloem and xylem tubes
  • the cells are long and joined end to end to form the tubes
  • xylem cells are hollow
  • phloem cells have few subcellular structures