Specialised Cells

D. Crowley, 2007
 Sunday, November 6, 2022

Specialised cells
To know how animal and plant cells are adapted for different
functions
Recap
What parts of a cell are found within animal cells and plant
cells?

Animal cells: -
Nucleus
Cell membrane
Cytoplasm

Plant cells: -
All of the above +
Cell wall
Vacuole
Chloroplasts
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 Cells
The 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 Long
body Connections at each end
Can carry electrical signals
Female To join with a male cell, and then to provide food Large
reproductive cell for the new cell that has formed Contains a large amount of cytoplasm

Male reproductive To reach the female cell in order to join with it Long tail for swimming
cell Head which is able to penetrate the female cell

* Make the drawings as clear, and accurate as possible

 Plant Cells
The 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 Large surface area

photosynthesis) 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…