3.3 - Cell specialisation and organisation

Question 1

Phloem (what is it responsible for, what is it made up of and separated by, what are one of its adaptations)

Answer 1

Phloem tissue is responsible for the transport of sugars and amino acids within plants.

It is made up of columns of sieve tube elements and companion cells.

The sieve tube element cells are separated by sieve plates with holes so that sugars can pass through. Sieve tube elements contain very few organelles, allowing sugars to flow easily.

Companion cells contain many mitochondria to release energy.

Question 2

Xylem (what is its function, what is it made up of, what are they strengthened by?)

Answer 2

Xylem tissue is responsible for the transport of water and minerals within plants.

It is made up of dead xylem vessel cells which have no end walls and no organelles. This forms a continuous column through which water can flow. The walls of these cells are strengthened by a waterproof material known as lignin.

Question 3

Muscle (what is it made up of and what can they do, 3 types of muscle)

Answer 3

Muscle tissue is made up of muscle fibres (bundles of elongated cells). These fibres contract (shorten) and relax to move different parts of the body.

There are three types of muscle tissue:

Smooth- Found in the walls of organs.
Cardiac- Foundin the heart.
Skeletal- Found attached to bones.

Question 4

Cartilage (what type of tissue is it and what is its function, what is it made up of)

Answer 4

Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that acts as a cushion between bones and also provides support to organs such as the ears and nose.

This tissue is made up of chondrocyte cells fixed within an extracellular matrix

Question 5

Ciliated epithelium (what does it line and what is it made up of and what is its function)

Answer 5

Ciliated epithelium tissue lines organs such as the trachea where it can sweep mucus away from the lungs.

This tissue is made up of ciliated epithelial cells and goblet cells. The goblet cells release mucus to trap pathogens, whilst the ciliated epithelial cells use cilia to sweep the mucus away.

Question 6

Squamous epithelium (what is it and what is it made up of?)

Answer 6

Squamous epithelium tissue provides a thin lining for many organs such as the lungs.

This tissue is made up of a single layer of squamous epithelial cells. Due to being only one cell thick, gases can quickly diffuse through the tissue.

Question 7

Organ System definition:

Answer 7

This is a group of organs working together to carry out a particular function

Question 8

Organ definition

Answer 8

a group of tissues working together to carry out a particular function

Question 9

Tissue definition:

Answer 9

a group of similar cells working together to carry out a particular function

Question 10

What are specialised cells?

Answer 10

cells with certain features which allow them to carry out a particular function