Specialised cells

• Palisade mesophyll cells

  Contain chloroplast that move around the cytoplasm in order to maximise the amount of light absorbed.
• Root hair cells

  Root hairs increase the surface area of the cell to maximise the movement of water and minerals from soil.
• Sperm cells

  • Has a tail that allows them to move.
  • Middle piece contains mitochondria which gives the cell energy to move.
  • Inside head is an acrosome which contains digestive enzymes which are released when the sperm meets the egg to digest the protective layer.
• Egg cells

  Has a corona radiata which supplies proteins needed by the fertilised egg cell.
• Red blood cells

  • Biconcave shape increases the surface area to volume ratio meaning it can carry more oxygen.
  • They are flexible so they can squeeze through narrow capillaries.
  • Doesn't have a nucleus or other organelles which allows for more haemoglobin molecules to take up the space so they can carry more oxygen.
• White blood cells


  
  

  • Has a multi-lobed nuclei which enable them to squeeze through small gaps when travelling to the sight of infection.
  • Cytoplasm holds lysomes that contain enzymes that digest pathogens.