cell differentiation and specialisation Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is differentiation?
Differentiation is the process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its job.
What happens to cells as they differentiate?
They develop different subcellular structures and turn into different types of cells.
When does most differentiation occur in organisms?
Most differentiation occurs as an organism develops.
What happens to the ability to differentiate in most animal cells?
The ability to differentiate is lost at an early stage after they become specialised.
Do plant cells lose the ability to differentiate?
No, many plant cells do not lose this ability.
What type of cells are mainly responsible for repairing and replacing cells in mature animals?
Undifferentiated cells, also known as stem cells.
What is the primary function of sperm cells?
To get the male DNA to the female DNA.
What structural features help sperm cells swim to the egg?
A long tail and a streamlined head.
Why do sperm cells have many mitochondria?
To provide the energy needed for swimming.
What role do enzymes play in sperm cells?
They help digest through the egg cell membrane.
What is the function of nerve cells?
To carry electrical signals from one part of the body to another.
How are nerve cells structurally adapted for their function?
They are long and have branched connections to connect to other nerve cells.
What is the primary function of muscle cells?
To contract quickly.
What adaptations do muscle cells have for contraction?
They are long and contain lots of mitochondria.
What is the function of root hair cells?
To absorb water and minerals from the soil.
How do root hair cells increase their efficiency?
They grow into long ‘hairs’ that stick out into the soil, increasing surface area.
What is the role of phloem and xylem cells?
To transport substances such as food and water around plants.
How are phloem and xylem cells structurally adapted for their function?
They are long and joined end to end; xylem cells are hollow, while phloem cells have few subcellular structures.
Fill in the blank: The function of muscle cells is to _______.
[contract quickly]
Fill in the blank: Root hair cells are specialised for absorbing _______ and _______.
[water], [minerals]
True or False: Most animal cells retain the ability to differentiate throughout their life.
False
What do stem cells do?
They are undifferentiated cells that can develop into various cell types.
