Cell Differentiation and Specialisation

• Cells don't all look the same
• Cells have different structures to suit their different functions
• Differentiation


  The process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its job
• Muscle Cells


  • Specialised for contraction
  • Long structure
  • Contain lots of mitochondria
• Muscle Cell Function


  Contract quickly
• Undifferentiated cells


  • Called stem cells
  • Can differentiate into various cell types
• Specialised Cells


  • Sperm Cells
  • Nerve Cells
  • Root Hair Cells
  • Phloem Cells
  • Xylem Cells
• Sperm Cells


  • Specialised for reproduction
• Sperm Cell


  • Long tail
  • Streamlined head
  • Lots of mitochondria
  • Carries enzymes in head
• Sperm Cell Function


  Get male DNA to female DNA
• Nerve Cells


  • Specialised for rapid signalling
• Nerve Cell


  • Long structure
  • Branched connections
• Nerve Cell Function


  Carry electrical signals
• Root Hair Cells


  • Specialised for absorbing water and minerals
• Root Hair Cell


  • Grow into long "hairs"
  • Big surface area for absorption
• Phloem and Xylem Cells


  • Specialised for transporting substances
• Phloem and Xylem Cells

  • Form tubes
  • Long and joined end to end
  • Xylem cells are hollow
  • Phloem cells have few subcellular structures
• Cells have the same basic bits but are specialised for their function
• Some specialised cells don't have a use for certain subcellular structures
• Root hair cells don't need chloroplasts because they don't photosynthesise