Cell Specialisation

Question 1

Function of sperm cell:

Answer 1

An animal cell with a head containing genetic material for fertilisation and a tail for swimming to the egg cell

-male sex cell

Question 2

Adaptations of sperm cells:

Answer 2

• many mitochondria which release E through aerobic respiration, this is needed to allow the sperm to have enough E to swim to the egg and fertilise it

-The sperm cell has a long tail (flagellum) which produces a swimming movement

-sperm head (acrosome) has enzymes which breakdown a small part of egg cell membrane to allow the head to enter with its chromosomes

• nucleus of the sperm has half a set of chromosomes - on fertilising the egg a complete set is combined to make a new human

Question 3

Function of nerve cells/neurons:

Answer 3

an animal cell that quickly sends and receive electrical messages to and from the brain and nervous system

Question 4

Adaptations of nerve cells/neurons

Answer 4

-Has a long, thin shape which allows impulses to travel long distances in the body and makes it faster to send electrical messages.

-Its axon is covered in rings of myelin sheath
The myelin sheath stops the electrical signals from travelling down the axon because it is an electrical insulator.

-This means the electrical signals have to jump between gaps of the myelin sheath,

-speeds up the conduction of electrical impulses and allows them to travel much faster

Question 5

Function of muscle cells:

Answer 5

An animal cell that contains sliding protein fibres to contract and allow movement

Question 6

Adaptations of muscle cells:

Answer 6

-Have many mitochondria which release Energy through aerobic respiration as muscle cells make up all the muscles in the body and need a lot of E.

-Elongated

-Can contract

Question 7

Function of root hair cells:

Answer 7

A plant cell which has a large surface area and thin walls to absorb water and minerals

Question 8

Adaptations of root hair cells:

Answer 8

-Large surface area with a projection/root hair - large SA for diffusion

-Thin cellulose walls - short diffusion pathway

Many mitochondria for aerobic respiration - releases a lot of E for active transport

Adapted for efficient uptake of water by osmosis, and mineral ions by active transport

Large vacuole - for temporarily storing water before it is transported up through the cell
Ability to change shape

Question 9

Function of phloem cells:

Answer 9

a living plant cell that transports dissolved sugars and amino acids from the leaves to the rest of the plant for immediate use or storage -

this movement of food molecules through phloem tissue is called translocation

Question 10

Adaptations of phloem cells:

Answer 10

-The cell walls between phloem cells break down to form perforated sieve plates

-These allow water carrying dissolved food (sugars and amino acids) to move freely along the tubes from one phloem cell to the next through pores in the end walls

Supported by companion cells (which contain nucleus and mitochondria) that keep them alive - the mitochondria of the companion cells transfer the energy needed for translocation to occur

-Vessels contain cytoplasm

-Two-way flow allows substances to be transported all around the plant

Question 11

Function of xylem cells:

Answer 11

A hollow plant cell with thick walls containing lignin to transport water and minerals through the plant

Question 11

adaptations of a xylem cell

Question 12

Function of red blood cells:

Answer 12

An animal cell that has lost its nucleus to make remove for haemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen

Question 13

adaptations of a red blood cell

Answer 13

🩸 Red Blood Cell Adaptations:

✅ Biconcave shape – Increases the surface area for gas exchange and helps them squeeze through narrow capillaries.

✅ No nucleus – More room for haemoglobin, so they can carry more oxygen.

✅ Packed with haemoglobin – Haemoglobin binds to oxygen, allowing RBCs to transport it around the body.

✅ Flexible membrane – Allows RBCs to bend and twist through tiny blood vessels without bursting.

Question 14

Function of ciliated epithelial cells:

Answer 14

thin hairs on its outer surface move substances in a specific direction such as mucus.

Question 15

adaptations of ciliated epithelial cells

Answer 15

Ciliated Epithelial Cell Adaptations:

✅ Cilia – Tiny hair-like structures on the surface of the cell that beat in a coordinated way to move substances like mucus.

✅ Goblet cells (nearby) – These secrete mucus to trap dust and pathogens, which the cilia then sweep away.

✅ Lots of mitochondria – Provide energy for the beating of the cilia.

✅ Location – Found in the respiratory tract (like the trachea) to help keep airways clear.

Question 16

Function of leaf palisade cells:

Answer 16

form photosynthesis - they contain many chloroplasts for this.

Question 17

adaptations of leaf palisade cells

Answer 17

-Many chloroplasts – Packed with chloroplasts to absorb maximum light for photosynthesis.

Elongated shape – Their column-like shape allows them to be tightly packed together, maximizing light absorption.

Large vacuole – Maintains turgor pressure to keep the cells rigid, positioning them well for light capture.

Thin cell walls – Easier for carbon dioxide to diffuse in.

Position in leaf – Found just below the upper epidermis where they get the most light.

Question 18

function of a photosynthetic cell

Answer 18

converting light energy into chemical energy through a process called photosynthesis

Question 19

adaptations of a photosynthetic cell

Answer 19

Large surface area -To absorb more light

Thin -Short distance for carbon dioxide to diffuse into leaf cells

Chlorophyll- Absorbs sunlight to transfer energy into chemicals

Network of veins- To support the leaf and transport water, mineral ions and sucrose (sugar)