Cell Specialisation
Cells specialise by undergoing differentiation.
Differentiation is a process that involves cells gaining new sub-cellular structures
for it to be suited to its role.
Cells can either differentiate once very early on or they can differentiate their whole life
- these are known as stem cells.
Examples of specialised cells in animals: In animal cells, differentiation usually only happens
• Sperm cells - specialised to carry male’s DNA once. Whereas in plant cells, they can retain the
to the egg cell for successful reproduction. ability to do it multiple times.
• streamlined head and long tail to aid swimming,
• many mitochondria which supply the energy to allow the cell the move.
• the acrosome has digestive enzymes which break down the outer layer of membrane of the egg cell.
• Nerve cells - specialised to transmit electrical signals quickly from one place in the body to another.
• the axon is long, allows the impulses to be carried long distances.
• having lots of extensions from the cell body (dendrites) means branched connections can form with other
nerve cells.
• nerve endings have many mitochondria which supply the energy to make chemicals called neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters allow impulses to be passed from one cell to another.
• Muscle cells - specialised to contract quickly to move bones (striated muscle) or simply to squeeze (smooth
muscle), which causes movement.
• myosin and actin (proteins) slide over each other, causing the muscle to contract.
• lots of mitochondria to provide energy from respiration for contraction.
• they can store a chemical known as glycogen that is used in respiration by mitochondria.
Cells specialise by undergoing differentiation.
Differentiation is a process that involves cells gaining new sub-cellular structures
for it to be suited to its role.
Cells can either differentiate once very early on or they can differentiate their whole life
- these are known as stem cells.
Examples of specialised cells in animals: In animal cells, differentiation usually only happens
• Sperm cells - specialised to carry male’s DNA once. Whereas in plant cells, they can retain the
to the egg cell for successful reproduction. ability to do it multiple times.
• streamlined head and long tail to aid swimming,
• many mitochondria which supply the energy to allow the cell the move.
• the acrosome has digestive enzymes which break down the outer layer of membrane of the egg cell.
• Nerve cells - specialised to transmit electrical signals quickly from one place in the body to another.
• the axon is long, allows the impulses to be carried long distances.
• having lots of extensions from the cell body (dendrites) means branched connections can form with other
nerve cells.
• nerve endings have many mitochondria which supply the energy to make chemicals called neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters allow impulses to be passed from one cell to another.
• Muscle cells - specialised to contract quickly to move bones (striated muscle) or simply to squeeze (smooth
muscle), which causes movement.
• myosin and actin (proteins) slide over each other, causing the muscle to contract.
• lots of mitochondria to provide energy from respiration for contraction.
• they can store a chemical known as glycogen that is used in respiration by mitochondria.
