8 November 2023

Cell Differentiation
• WALT (We Are Learning To):

1. Explain the importance of cell differentiation.

2. Explain how the structure of a specialised cell is

adapted to its function.

• Starter: State how many chromosomes are

found in human cells? What must happen to cells to
allow organisms to grow? Describe some stages in
mitosis?
 WILF (What I’m Looking For)
• ALL will name and identify different types of
specialised cells.

• MOST will describe the function of some

specialised cells and how organs are made by
these.

• SOME will explain how specialised cells are

adapted for their function/role.
What are the similarities and
differences?
 Cell Division

• For the first 4 or 5 days after fertilisation, the egg

divides to make identical cells. (stem cells).

• After this the cells start to differentiate!

 Discussion

Do all cells in the body do the same job? Will all cells in
the body look the same in a human body?
Name different types of cells in the human body?
Explain why it is important that cells are not identical?
Explain why a nerve cell will look different to a muscle
cell?
 How do animal cells specialize?
In animals, the first type of cells in the developing embryo
are stem cells. These are undifferentiated (unspecialised)
cells that go on to form all the different cell types in the
adult.

red blood cell stem cell sperm cell

nerve cell muscle cell

 Fat cells

1. Have little normal cytoplasm.

2. Have few mitochondria.
3. Can expand up to 1000x.
 Muscle cells

1. Elongated.
2. Contain many mitochondria.
3. Can contract.
 Ciliated epithelial Cells

1. Cilia. (Hair like)

2. Nucleus.
3. These cells are found in the windpipe and
oviducts which move mucus and eggs.
How are animal cells adapted?
Progress check - Animal cells
 How do plant cells specialize?
Unlike animals, many plant cells retain the ability to
differentiate and specialize throughout their life. These
cells are found in tissues called meristems.

meristem cell

root cell leaf cell

sieve cell
 Palisade cells

1. Large surface area.

2. Many tightly packed chloroplasts.
How are plant cells adapted?
Progress check - Plant cells
 Quick Quiz - True or False
1. The first cells in a developing embryo are all the same
called stem cells.

2. Certain cells become specialised to carry out a certain

function.

3. Sperm cells are adapted by having a long tail to increase

the surface area.

4. Root hair cells contain lots of mitochondria which provide

energy for water to be taken up by the plant.

5. A cell that produces its own food by using light would need
to contain lots of ribosomes to make proteins.
 From cell to organism
All living things are made of cells.

animal plant
Whose cell is it anyway?
How is the body organized?
 How is the body organized?
Living things are made up of organized systems.
Each specific cell is grouped with cells similar in
structure and function to form a tissue.

cells tissue
 How is the body organized?
Cells are the Groups of Groups of tissues
basic units of Specialised cells work together to
life. work together form organs.
to form tissues.

cell tissue organ

 How is the body organized?

Groups of organs form systems.

For example, the human digestive

system is made up of several organs
including the mouth, gullet, stomach and
small intestine.

The different organs in a system are

linked together by tubes or vessels.
 Quiz – ‘Fill in the gaps’
1. When a cell becomes specialised its structure is
adapted
________ to suit its particular job.

2. Specialised cells are often grouped together to form a

tissue
________.

3. Several different tissues come together to form an

organ
______.

4. Different organ ________

systems are made up of several
different organs that work together.

5. A major organ in the circulatory system is the _______.

heart