Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Biology

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(Cell Structure & Size of Specimens)

Specialised Cells & Organisation

Specialised Cells: Experts in Their Job

Specialised cells are like workers in a factory—each one has a specific job to do.

  • Specialised cells are cells that have adapted certain characteristics and properties that allow them to perform a specifc job well. These characteristics and properties are controlled by the genes and DNA in the nucleus.
  • The process that turns a cell into a specialised cell is called differentiation. During differentiation a cell will develop the properties and characteristics that allow it to carry out a specifc job

 

Specialised Cells in Animals

 

CellFunctionCharacteristics and Properties
Ciliated CellHelps move mucus in the trachea and bronchi

Cilia (Hair-like Structures) beat rhythmically to move mucus and trapped particles away from the lungs or along the oviduct.

Thin Membranes which Allow for easy absorption of oxygen and nutrients for their activity.

Neurone (Nerve Cell)Conduct electrical impulses for communication

Long Axon which helps transmits electrical impulses over long distances.

The Myelin Sheath insulates the axon and speeds up impulse transmission.

Dendrites: extend from the cell and branch out to help Receive signals from other neurones and communicate.

Red Blood CellsTransport oxygen using hemoglobin

Biconcave Shape increases surface area for more efficient oxygen diffusion.

Contains heamoglobin which binds to oxygen and helps transport it

No Nucleus and leaves more space for haemoglobin to carry oxygen.

Flexible  structure can squeeze through narrow capillaries.

Sperm CellReproduction

Tail (Flagellum) helps it to swim towards the egg.

Midpiece contains a large amount of Mitochondria. This helps provide eneergy to swim to the egg to fertilise  Provide energy for movement.

The Acrosome in the head contains enzymes to penetrate the egg’s outer layer and also a larger than usual Nucleus to transport the DNA to the egg.

The streamlined shape helps it move faster through the female reproductive tract.

Egg CellReproduction

The large cyptoplasm contains nutrients to support early embryo development.

Jelly coat protects the egg and hardens after fertilization to prevent entry of additional sperm.

Haploid Nucleus ensures the correct chromosome number is restored at fertilization.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specilised Cells in Plants

 

CellFunctionCharacteristics and Properties
Root Hair Cell

Absorb water and minerals from the soil.

Long, hair-like projection: Increases surface area for absorbing water and minerals.

Thin Cell Wall allows water to enter easily by osmosis.

Large Vacuole stores water and helps maintain a concentration gradient

Palisade Mesophyll CellsPhotosynthesis

 

Packed with chloroplasts maximizes light absorption for photosynthesis.

Elongated Shape and many layers under the upper epidermis Allows more cells to be packed into the leaf.

Thin Cell Wall enables quick diffusion of gases like carbon dioxide.

 

 

 

 

Tuity Tip

Hover me!

Specialised cells have unique shapes for their specific jobs (e.g., root hair cells).

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