GCSE Biology

(Human) 3415

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Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this
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 GCSE Biology
(Human) 3415

Specialised cells – learning outcomes

• The structure and function of some specialised cells

• Introducing the light microscope

• Make a simple slide

• Looking at slides of prepared cells

 GCSE Biology
(Human) 3415

CELL
S

Vacuole
Nucleus

Cytoplasm
Cell
Cell Wall
membrane

Chloroplast
 GCSE Biology
(Human) 3415

All cells have these features in common:

a nucleus contains genetic material which controls the

cell's behaviour.
cytoplasm where chemical processes (controlled by
enzymes) take place
a cell membrane which controls what passes into and out of
the cell

In addition, plant cells have the following unique features:

a rigid cell wall made of to strengthen the cell
cellulose
vacuoles to store cell sap

chloroplasts contain chlorophyll which enables

photosynthesis to take place.
 GCSE Biology
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Specialised
Cells
 GCSE Biology
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Specialised Animal Cells Image 1 - Red Blood Cells

Image 2 - Sperm Image 3 - Nerve Cells

Cells
 GCSE Biology
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Image 1 - Red Blood Cells

Example of cell Specific function Specialised features suited to the function

1. Thin outer membrane allows oxygen to diffuse through easily.

2. Bi-concave shape increases the surface area to allow more oxygen to
Contain haemoglobin to be absorbed efficiently and gives cell a more flexible framework allows
Red blood cell
carry oxygen to the cells cells to squeeze through even the tiniest capillaries.

3. No nucleus means that the whole cell is full of haemoglobin which
combines with and carries oxygen around the body.
 GCSE Biology
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Image 2 - Sperm Cells

Example of cell Specific function Specialised features suited to the function

1. The head, containing genetic information and a nucleus, has an

enzyme to help penetrate the egg cell membrane.
Sperm cell To fertilise the egg cell
2. The middle section, immediately behind the head is packed with
(male gamete) (female gamete)
mitochondria for energy.

3. The tail or flagellum moves the sperm to the egg.

 GCSE Biology
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Image 3 - Nerve Cells

Example of cell Specific function Specialised features suited to the function

1. Dendrites to make connections with other neurones.

Nerve cell Pass sensory impulses from
2. Long axon or nerve fibre to carry the impulse to the target organ.
(motor neurone) receptor to an effector
3. End plate forms a synapse with an effector (a muscle or a gland).
 GCSE Biology
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Specialised Plant Cells Image 4- Leaf Cells

Image 6 - Guard Cells

Image 5- Pollen Cell
 GCSE Biology
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Image 4- Leaf
Cells

Example of cell Specific function Specialised features suited to the function

1. Packed with chloroplasts containing the light absorbing

pigment chlorophyll.
Leaf palisade cell Carries out photosynthesis
2. Regular shaped, closely packed cells forming a continuous
layer for efficient absorption of sunlight.
 GCSE Biology
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Image 5 - Guard Cells

Example of cell Specific function Specialised features suited to the function

1. Regulate the size of leaf pore

Guard cell 2. Change shape easily
Opens and closes leaf pore
3. Swell up when filled with water
 GCSE Biology
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Image 6- Pollen Cell

Example of cell Specific function Specialised features suited to the function

1. Tiny grain with half the genetic information having been

formed by meiosis.

2. Have a hard protective outer coat to survive bad conditions.

Pollen cell (male Fertilise the ovules (female 3. Shape and surface of outer coat is adapted to method of
gametes) gametes)
dispersal - eg smooth and sticky for insect dispersal, larger
surface area for wind dispersal.

4. Germinate on reaching the stigma of another flower of the

same species.
 GCSE Biology
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The Light Microscope
eyepiece

focus
wheel body
tube

revolving
ar nosepiece
m
objective lens
stage stag
clip e
inclination joint mirror/light
source

bas
e
 GCSE Biology
(Human) 3415

Specialised cells – learning outcomes

• The structure and function of some specialised cells

• Introducing the light microscope

• Make a simple slide

• Looking at slides of prepared cells

 GCSE Biology
(Human) 3415
Photos and images are credited as follows:

Image 1 – red blood cells. In the public domain as work of the US federal government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Redbloodcells.jpg
Image 2 – Sperm cells. Photo courtesy of Gilberto Santa Rosa. This photo is licensed under Creative
Commons Attribution 2.0 license. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sperm-20051108.jpg
Image 3 – Nerve cells. Photo courtesy of Fanny CASTETS . This photo is licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5, Attribution ShareAlike 2.0 and Attribution ShareAlike 1.0
License.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neuronehisto.jpg
Image 4 – Leaf cells. Photo courtesy of Kristian Peters. This image is published under the
GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software
Foundation.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plagiomnium_affine_laminazellen.jpeg
Image 5 – Guard Cells. Photo courtesy of KuriPop. The image has been cropped to show only the open
stomatal pore. The scale has been removed. This image is published under the GNU Free Documentation
License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stomata_open_close.jpg
Image 6 – Pollen cell. In the public domain, all rights permitted.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ipomoea_purpurea_pollen.jpg