Specialised Cells

D. Crowley, 2007

Specialised cells

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

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

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

Specialisation

Can you think of any cells which are specialised? How are they specialised, and for what reason?

Many organisms are multi-cellular - they are made up of lots of cells, not just one!

Many of these cells are specialised, sharing out the life processes (they work together as a team, supporting the organism)

Specialist cells occur in both animals and plants…

Examples

Using the microscopes, have a look at some specialised cells

You do not need to write anything down, but see if you can identify what the cell looks like, and come up with a reason as to why it is specialised - how, and for what purpose?

Animal CellsThe table below shows some specialised animal cells

Using your sheet, draw out the cells which have been identified…

Animal Cell Cell Diagram Function Specialisation

Red blood cells To carry oxygen Large surface area for oxygen

Haemoglobin which binds the oxygen

Lacks nucleus when mature

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 CellsThe table below shows some specialised plant cells

Using your sheet, draw out the cells which have been identified…

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)

* Make the drawings as clear, and accurate as possible

Summary

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