1.1.3 Cell Specialisation

• Sperm cells

  • Specialised for reproduction
  • Function is to get male DNA to female DNA
  • It has a long tail and a streamlined head to help it swim to the egg
  • There are a lot of mitochondria in the cell to provide the energy needed
  • It also carries enzymes in its head to digest through the egg cell membrane
• Nerve cells

  • Specialised for rapid signalling
  • Function is to carry electrical signals across the body
  • Cells are long to cover more distance and have branched connections to connect to other nerve cells and form a bodily network
• Muscle cells

  • Specialised for contraction
  • Function is to quickly contract
  • Cells are long to have space to contract and contain lots of mitochondria to generate energy to contract
• Root hair cells

  • Specialised for absorbing water and minerals
  • Cells are found on the surface of plant roots
  • Cells grow out long and stick in the soil meaning the plant has a bigger surface area for absorption
• Phloem and xylem cells

  • Specialised for transporting substances
  • Form phloem and xylem tubes
  • Cells are long and joined end to end
  • Phloem cells have few sub-cellular structures to allow flow of substance
  • Xylem cells are hollow to allow flow of substance