Required Specialised Cells

Question 1

Erythrocyte:

Answer 1

Biconcave shape to increase SA for diffusion and increase cell flexibility to fit through narrow capillaries.

No nucleus so there is more space to hold haemoglobin to increase transport of oxygen

Question 2

Neutrophils

Answer 2

Lobed nucleus and granular cytoplasm. Flexible to enable them to surround pathogens and engulf them.

They contain lysosomes filled with hydrolytic enzymes.

Made from stem cells in the bone marrow

Question 3

Sperm cells

Answer 3

Lots of mitochondria to provide energy for movemnt in flagellum

Acrosome in the head of the cell contains digestive enzymes to digest the wall of the egg so the stem can penetrate and fertilise egg

Question 4

Palisade cells

Answer 4

Located in mesophyll tissue layer of leaves

Rectangular tightly packed cells that contain many chloroplasts to absorb and maximise light energy fo photosynthesis

Thin cells walls to reduce difffusion distance for gases e.g co2

Question 5

Guard cells

Answer 5

Flexible walls so they can bend to when turgid to open stomata and closing when flaccid - this helps to control water loss by transpiration

Question 6

Root hair cells

Answer 6

Cells on the surface of the roots, long projections to increase Sa for osmosis and active transport of mineral ions. They have a thunk wall to reduce diffusion distance