4.1.1.3 Cell Specialisation
Recap
Specialisation
We previously went through the
organelles found in animal, plant
and bacterial cells, as well as • Cells can specialise. Cell specialise, which means that they develop as
comparing the function of each
organelle. We also covered the the organism does, in order to perform a specific function. The cells
typical sizes expected from all become adapted to a particular function.
three types of cells.
• Cells can work by themselves or as part of a team. Cells can work
with other similar specialised cells to form a tissue. They can also work
with other types of specialised cells and tissues to form an organ.
Many different organs work to form an organ system.
Key Aims
1. Definition of Specialisation
2. Examples of Specialised
Cells
AQA Specification
Students should be able to,
when provided with appropriate
information, explain how the
structure of different types of
cell relate to their function in a
tissue, an organ or organ system,
or the whole organism.
Fig 1. Cell Specialisation and Order of Function.
AQA Specification
Examples of Specialised Cells
Cells can be specialised to cary
out a particular function: Sperm Sperm Cells
cell, nerve cells and muscle cells
in animals. Root hair cells, xylem
and phloem cells in plants. • Sperm cells are used in reproduction. Sperm cells transfer genetic
information from the male parent to the female parent.
• Sperm cells are adapted to fertilisation.
, • Acrosome - a sperm has an acromsome at its head. This contains
enzymes that are used for the digestion of the outer layers of the
egg cell, to allow the sperm to fuse with the egg cell.
• Long tail - They also have a long tail to help it swim through the
? Knowledge Recall the female reproductive system.
1. What is a tissue?
2. What are specialised cells? • Mitochondria - The sperm cell requires energy to move. This is
3. What is the function of
sperm cells?
provided by mitochondria in the mid piece.
• Big nucleus - a sperm cell has a big nucleus, which holds the
genetic information
Fig 2. Sperm Cell. Note the
long flagellum for movement.
Nerve Cells
• Nerve cells are required for the transmission of electrical impulses.
Nerve cells send impulses around the body of animals in order to aid
sensation and movement.
• Nerve cells are adapted to carrying impulses.
• Long axon - they have a long axon to move the impulse from one
part of the body to another.
Recap
Specialisation
We previously went through the
organelles found in animal, plant
and bacterial cells, as well as • Cells can specialise. Cell specialise, which means that they develop as
comparing the function of each
organelle. We also covered the the organism does, in order to perform a specific function. The cells
typical sizes expected from all become adapted to a particular function.
three types of cells.
• Cells can work by themselves or as part of a team. Cells can work
with other similar specialised cells to form a tissue. They can also work
with other types of specialised cells and tissues to form an organ.
Many different organs work to form an organ system.
Key Aims
1. Definition of Specialisation
2. Examples of Specialised
Cells
AQA Specification
Students should be able to,
when provided with appropriate
information, explain how the
structure of different types of
cell relate to their function in a
tissue, an organ or organ system,
or the whole organism.
Fig 1. Cell Specialisation and Order of Function.
AQA Specification
Examples of Specialised Cells
Cells can be specialised to cary
out a particular function: Sperm Sperm Cells
cell, nerve cells and muscle cells
in animals. Root hair cells, xylem
and phloem cells in plants. • Sperm cells are used in reproduction. Sperm cells transfer genetic
information from the male parent to the female parent.
• Sperm cells are adapted to fertilisation.
, • Acrosome - a sperm has an acromsome at its head. This contains
enzymes that are used for the digestion of the outer layers of the
egg cell, to allow the sperm to fuse with the egg cell.
• Long tail - They also have a long tail to help it swim through the
? Knowledge Recall the female reproductive system.
1. What is a tissue?
2. What are specialised cells? • Mitochondria - The sperm cell requires energy to move. This is
3. What is the function of
sperm cells?
provided by mitochondria in the mid piece.
• Big nucleus - a sperm cell has a big nucleus, which holds the
genetic information
Fig 2. Sperm Cell. Note the
long flagellum for movement.
Nerve Cells
• Nerve cells are required for the transmission of electrical impulses.
Nerve cells send impulses around the body of animals in order to aid
sensation and movement.
• Nerve cells are adapted to carrying impulses.
• Long axon - they have a long axon to move the impulse from one
part of the body to another.
