Specialisation in Animal Cells

• What is the function of a red blood cell?

  carries oxygen around the body
• Give three adaptations of a red blood cell.

  • no nucleus
  • contains a red pigment called haemoglobin
  • has a bi-concave disc shape
  • large surface area
  • replenish in the body all the time
• What is the function of a nerve cell?

  carries electrical impulses around the body
• Give two adaptations of a nerve cell.

  • branched endings
  • myelin sheath (plasma) insulates the axon & speeds up electrical signals
• What is the function of a sperm cell?

  fertilises an ovum (egg) & carries male genetic material
• Give two adaptations of a sperm cell.

  • long tail to help cell move
  • contains lots of mitochondria
  • head of sperm is streamlined and contains an enzyme which penetrates the egg wall
• What is the function of a Muscle Cell?

  Contract & relax
• Where are striated (striped) muscle cells found?

  muscles that enable your body to move
• Where are smooth muscle cells found?

  in the tissues of the digestive system - contract to move food along the gut
• Give 2 adaptations of muscle cells.

  • contains protein fibres, which can contract to make the cells shorter
  • contains lots of mitochondria to release energy from respiration, allowing the muscles to contract