REMINDER
B2- CELL SPECIALIZATION FOR FUNCTION –
MAGNIFICATION
SUMMARY
I- CELL SPECIALIZATION FOR FUNCTION
1. Stem cells: (undifferentiated cells)
Definition:
A stem cell is a cell with the unique ability to develop into specialised cell types in
the body. Hence, a stem cell is completely undifferentiated.
Function:
The role of stem cells is to divide and produce new differentiated cells within the
tissue for growth and repair
Fig 1. An illustration showing a stem cell giving rise to more stem cells or sepcialised cells
Image credit: Genome Research Limited
* The process by which stem cells become specialized for their roles is called differentiation.
These differentiated cells have specific structures and functions in the body and are called
specialized cells (for example: Red blood cells are specialised for carrying oxygen.)
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2. Human sex cells:
2.1. Sperm cell: sperm cell is the smallest cell in the body
Fig 2. Diagram of a human sperm cell
2.2. Egg cell: The human egg cell is a very large cell and is almost visible without a
microscope.
Fig 2. Diagram of a human egg cell
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3. Ciliated cell:
Fig 3. Diagram of a ciliated cell
Fig 4. Secreting cells produce mucus that
traps particles in the lungs. Cilia sweep
the mucus out of the lungs and into the
throat, where it is swallow
- The mucus has trapped bacteria and dust
- Ciliated epithelial cells in the lining of the respiratory tract move the mucus out of the
lung and into the throat, where it is swallow. Thus, bacteria and dust were swept out of the lungs.
In this way, the ciliated epithelium keeps the lungs clean.
4. Red blood cell:
Fig 5. Diagram of red blood cells
- Red blood cells are found in blood.
- Structure of red boold cells:
+ They do not have a nucleus and so cannot divide.
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+ Whole of the cell is filled with a chemical called haemoglobin, which can pick up oxygen in
the lungs and release it near the cells.
+ They have large surface area and biconcave disc-shape, so diffusion of oxygen in and out
happens very rapidly.
- Red blood cells are made in bone marrow and last only 120 days before they are destroyed in
the spleen and liver.
5. Palisade cell
Fig 6. Diagram of palisade mesophyll
cells
- Found in the upper part of leaf
- Have all the features of a plant cell but contain a large number of chloroplasts for
photosynsthesis.
6. Root hair cell
Fig 7. Diagram of root hair cells
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- Found: on the root of a plant
- Structure: all the features of a plant cell, except chloroplast
- Water and minerals are absorbed from the soil by root hairs, which penetrate the spaces between
soil particles.
- Hair: is the extension of cell. The elongated shape of the cells increasse surface area for
absorption of water and mineral ions.
* Supplements: Concepts of: Organelles, Cells, tissues, organs and organ systems
II- MAGNIFICATION
To see cells clearly, you need to use a manifying glasses or a microscope.
Fig 8. Diagram of magnifying glass
Fig 9. Diagram of light microscope
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* Calculate actual size/ magnification:
Note: The magnification of the specimen is the magnification of the eyepiece multiplied by the
magnification of the objective lens.
EXERCISE IN CLASS
Q1. A student looks at an image of a cross-section of a leaf in her biology textbook. The actual
thickness of this leaf is 450 μm, but the image in the textbook has a thickness of 83 mm.
What would be the correct magnification of the image?
a. 5x
b. 184x
c. 0.184x
d. 500x
Solution: b
1 mm = 1000 m
Magnification = Image size/ Actual size
= (83*1000)/450 = 184x
Q2. A student looks at the image below in his textbook. The image is 43 mm wide and has been
magnified 2500 times. What is the actual width of the cell?
a. 0.0172 μm
b. 1.72 μm
c. 58.1 mm
d. 17.2 μm
Solution: d
Actual size = Image size / magnification
= 43000 m/2500 = 17.2 m
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Q3. If the eyepiece lens magnification is 10 and the objective lens magnification is 40 what is the
total magnification?
a. 10
b. 40
c. 400
Solution: c
Total magnification = magnification of eyepiece lens x magnification of objetive lens
= 10 x 40 = 400
Q4. 2019-Oct Nov-qp22/2
Which statement about human gametes is correct?
a. Egg cells are much smaller than sperm cells
b. Egg cells are produced in larger numbers than sperm cells.
c. Egg cells have a jelly coating that changes after fertilization
d. The flagellum is an adaptive feature of an egg cell.
Solution: c
Q5. Combined science 2/25
Describe how the structures of sperm and egg cells are adapted to their functions in reproduction
Solution:
* Sperm cells:
- Sperm cells are small, and have a tail for movement.
- Sperm cells have many mitochondria providing energy for movement of the tail.
- The acrosome contains enzymes that digest the egg cell membrane so the sperm nucleus can
enter the egg cell for fertilization.
* Egg cells:
- Egg cells are large and contain a lot of cytoplasm to provide nutrients for the fertilized cell
during the early stages of division.
Q6. Combined science 1/26
You are looking at an object that measures 0.5 mm and the image you see is 10 mm long. Your
friend is looking at an object that is 0.1 mm long using the same magnification. What size of
image does your friend see?
Solution: 2 mm
Magnification of the object = 10 mm / 0.5 mm = 20x
Size of image = Magnification x Actual sixze = 20 x 0.1 = 2 mm
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Q7. Combined science 2/26
Imagine you are examining a specimen of blood under a microscope to look at red blood cells.
Why might it be important to know the magnification of the lens you are using.
Solution:
If you are not using a suitable magnification for the specimen you are looking at, you may not be
able to see what you want to. (it is most useful to start by focusing at a lower magnification and
then moving up to the magnification you want to use.)
Q8. Combined science 4/35
Red blood cells are unusual because they contain no nucleus. When they are damaged, they have
to be replaced with new cells from the bone marrow. Explain how this is different from other
cells.
Solution:
As red blood cells have no nucleus, there is nothing to control cell division
So they cannot divide like many other cells to replace damaged cells and must be replaced with
new cells from bone marrow.
Q9. Cambridge Igcse biology 3,4,6,7,8,11/12
a. What is the function of red blood cells?
b. What is the function of palisade cells?
c. A diagram of a leaf is 120 mm long. The real leaf is 40 mm long. What is the magnification of
the diagram?
d. Which types of cells contain mitochondria?
e. What is the function of mitochondria?
f. A micrograph of a chloroplast shows it is 20 mm long. The magnification of the micrograph is
x2000.
Calculate the actual length of the chloroplast. Give your answer in μm.
Solution:
a. Transport of oxygen.
b. Photosynthesis
c. x 3 (120mm/40 mm = 3)
d. animal cells and plant cells.
e. aerobic respiration – the release of energy from nutrients
f. 10 m (20*1000/2000 =10 m)
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Q10. 2008-Nov-qp2-8
Fig. 1 shows a sperm
i. On Fig. 1 name and label two structures that are found in all animal cells.
ii. Describe two ways in which a sperm is adapted for its function
1. ………..
2. ………..
Solution:
i. Labels to :
Cell membrane
Nucleus
ii. Tail for swimming
Only 23 chromosomes/ half usual number of chromosomes, so correct number of
chromosome after fertilization.
Small size so less energy needed to swim
Streamlined so that it can move more easily
Enzymes in head to digest a way into the egg.
Q11. 2018-Oct Nov-qp43-1
Fig. 1 is a diagram of a cell which lines the human airway
Fig. 1
Table 1. shows the names and functions of parts of the cell shown in Fig. 1
Complete table. 1
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Solution:
Q12. 2018-Oct Nov-qp32-1
The boxes in Fig. 1 contain the names of cells, diagrams of these cells, and their functions.
a. Draw straight lines to connect each named cell with its correct diagram and function. One is
done for you.
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b. One of the cells in shown in Fig. 2. The actual diameter of the cell is 0.0070 mm
Calculate the magnification shown by the diagram
(Diameter of red blood cell is 21 mm)
Fig. 2
Solution:
a.
b. Diameter of red blood cell = 21 mm
Magnification = 21/0.007 = 3000 (times)
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