Specialised Cells

Question 1

What are specialised cells?

Answer 1

Cells that have a structure which makes them adapted to their function.

Question 2

What examples of specialised cells will be in the exam?

Answer 2

Egg cell,
Sperm cell,
Ciliates epithelial cell.

Question 3

What are the main functions of the egg in reproduction?

Answer 3

To carry the female DNA and to nourish the developing embryo in the early stages.

Question 4

How is the egg adapted for its function?

Answer 4

• It has a haploid nucleus (with 23 chromosomes as oppose to 46 chromosomes in a diploid nucleus).
• It contains nutrients in the cytoplasm to nourish the developing embryo.
• Straight after fertilisation, its membrane changes structure to stop any more sperm from getting in. This makes sure the offspring gets the correct amount of DNA.

Question 5

What is another name for the egg cell?

Answer 5

The ovum.

Question 6

What is the only animal cell that can be seen with the naked eye?

Answer 6

The ovum.

Question 7

What is most of the ovum made out of?

Answer 7

Padding to protects the information in the cells nucleus.

Question 8

What is the function of a sperm cell?

Answer 8

To carry male DNA to the ovum.

Question 9

How is a sperm cell adapted for its function?

Answer 9

• A sperm cell has a long tail so it can propel itself forward and swim to the egg cell (for locomotion).
• It has lots of mitochondria in the mid-piece to provide energy in the form of ATP from aerobic respiration in order to swim the distance to the egg.
• It has an acrosome at the front of the ‘head’ where it stores enzymes needed to digest through and penetrate the membrane of the ovum.
• It has a haploid nucleus (containing one set of chromosomes - 23 in total).

Question 10

What is the structure of the sperm cell?

Answer 10

Tail, 
Middle section/mid-piece, 
Head, 
Nucleus, 
Acrosome.

Question 11

Approximately how long is a sperm cell without a tail?

Answer 11

60 micrometers.

Question 12

approximately how long is a sperm cell with a tail?

Answer 12

120 micrometers.

Question 13

What do fertilised egg and sperm cells fuse to make?

Answer 13

A zygote.

Question 14

What are sperm cells and egg cells called as a pair?

Answer 14

Gametes (sex cells).

Question 15

What is the function of ciliated epithelial cells?

Answer 15

To move substances in the body.

Question 15

How are ciliated epithelial cells adapted for their function?

Answer 15

The cilia move/waft substances in one direction along the surface of the tissue.

Question 16

What do ciliated epithelial cells line the surfaces of?

Answer 16

Epithelial cells line the surfaces of organs.

Question 18

How are ciliated epithelial cells used in the lining of airways?

Answer 18

The cuboidal ciliated epithelial cells line the ends of bronchioles in the lungs. Ciliated epithelial cells line the airways and help to move mucus (and all of the particles from the air that it has trapped) up to the throat so it can be swallowed and doesn’t reach the lungs.

Question 19

How are ciliated epithelial cells in the Fallopian tubes (oviducts)?

Answer 19

The ciliated epithelial cells can be tall and narrow making up columnar ciliated epithelium. The cilia move and waft and egg from the ovary towards the uterus.

Question 20

What are cilia?

Answer 20

Cilia are hair-like structures that move substances in the body. Cilia re covered in cell membrane and contain stands of a substance that can contract and cause waves of movement.