What is differentiation?
The process by which a cell changes to become specialized for it’s job.
What happens to cells as it changes?
They develop different subcellular structures and turn into different types of cells. Allows them to carry out specific functions.
What’s the key difference between animal and plant cells in terms of differentiation?
Animal cells lose the ability to differentiate at an early stage but many plant cells keep this ability throughout life.
What are the functions of sperm cells/it’s adaptations?
It’s function is to get the male DNA to the female DNA(ovum).
-It has a long tail/streamlined head to help it swim to egg.
-There is also a lot of mitochondria in cell to provide energy.
-Also carries enzymes in its head to digest through egg cell membrane.
What is the function of the nerve cell/it’s adaptations?
It’s function is to carry electrical signals from one side of body to another.
-Has axons that are long and cover distance
-Myelin covers axon, helping nerve impulses travel faster.
-Synapses which are a tiny gap between neurons where messages pass using chemicals.
-Dendrites which are branched connections to connect to other nerve cells and form a network.
What are the functions of muscle cells/it’s adaptations.
The function of a muscle cell is to contract/shorten quickly.
-These cells are long(space for contraction)
-Contain lots of mitochondria for energy.
What is the function of root hair cell/it’s adaptations?
Root hair cells are cells on the surface of plant roots, which grow into long hairs that stick out of soil. Gives plant big surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions from soil.
What is the function of phloem and xylem cell/it’s adaptations?
Form phloem/xylem tubes which transport substances like food/water around plants. To form tubes, the cells are long and joined end to end. Xylem cells are hollow and phloem cells have very few subcellular structures, so stuff can flow through
