Cell Adaptation

D. Crowley, 2007

To know how animal and plant cells are adapted for different functions

All Animal Cells look the same Animal cells

may look different but

they all have a nucleus

Some animal cells look different

because they need to do a special job

The cells of different animal cells are always

different

RecapWhat parts of a cell are found within animal cells and plant cells?

Animal cells: -NucleusCell membraneCytoplasm

Plant cells: -All of the above +Cell wallVacuoleChloroplasts

Consider the root hair cell:

It is “suited” to its job of taking in water and nutrients in 2 ways:

1) It has a large surface area

2) It has a thin cell membrane

The sperm cell is another example of a specialised cell:

Strong tail for swimming

Vacuole containing enzymes

Specialised Cells

Animal Cells

Animal Cell Cell Diagram

Function Specialisation

Red blood cells

To carry oxygen Large surface area for oxygen

Haemoglobin which binds the oxygen

Nerve cell To carry nerve impulses to different parts of the body

Long

Connections at each end

Can carry electrical signals

Female reproductive cell

To join with a male cell, and then to provide food for the new cell that has formed

Large

Contains a large amount of cytoplasm

Male reproductive cell

To reach the female cell in order to join with it

Long tail for swimming

Head which is able to penetrate the female cell

* Make the drawings as clear, and accurate as possible

Plant Cells

Plant Cell

Cell Diagram Function Specialisation

Root hair cell

To absorb water and minerals

Large surface area

Leaf cell To absorb sunlight (needed for photosynthesis)

Large surface area

Many chloroplasts (containing chlorophyll, needed for photosynthesis)

SummaryFinally, complete the worksheet, matching the pictures with the cell name, as well as its function…