Cell Differentiation

• Differentiation is the process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its job
• They develop different subcellular structures and turn into different types of cells, this allows them to carry out different structures
• Sperm cells are specialised for reproduction
• Sperm cells have long tails and a streamlined head to help it swim to the egg
• There are lots of mitrochondria for the sperm cell to get the energy it needs
• Sperm cells have lots of enzymes in its head to digest through the egg cell membrane
• Nerve cells are specialised for rapid signalling
• The function of nerve cells is to carry electrical signals from one part of the body to another
• Nerve cells are long (to cover more distance) and have branched connections to connect to other nerve cells to form a network throughout the body
• Muscle cells are specialised for contraction
• Muscle cells are long (so they have space to contract) and contain lots of mitochondria to generate the energy needed for contraction.
• Root hair cells are specialised for absorbing water and mineral ions from the soil
• RHC are on the surface of plant roots and grow into long hairs, this gives the plant a large surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions from the soil
• Phloem and Xylem are specialised for transporting substances
• Phloem have very few subcellular structures so that substances can flow through them
• Xylem are hollow in the centre so substances can flow through them