EB Education Revision Guide

How to work with Cell Biology: Part 2

Specialised Cells
 Specialised Cells

Specialised Cells. Basic Cell Structure

Multicellular organisms contain
many different types of cells.
These cells have different
structures. Specialised cells are
ADAPTED to perform a particular
function.
 Specialised Cells

Sperm Cell
Sperm cells are specialised for reproduction.
Their function is to transport the male DNA to the
egg.
It has:
• A long tail to swim to the egg
• A haploid nucleus (contains half the number of
chromosomes of a somatic/diploid cell)
• Lots of mitochondria in the neck region. These
provide energy from respiration for the sperm to
swim long distances
• An acrosome at the front of the head. Enzymes are NB: you don't need to learn the terminal disc, centriole or
stored here which the sperm needs to digest its axial filament
way through the membrane of the egg cell
 Specialised Cells
Cell membrane

Egg Cell
The function of the egg cell is to carry the
female DNA and to provide nourishment to the
embryo during the first stages of pregnancy.
It contains:
• A haploid nucleus (half the number of Layer of jelly
chromosomes as other body cells) Cytoplasm
• Nutrients in the cytoplasm,
providing nutrition to the embryo
After fertilisation, the membrane will also
change its structure to prevent any more sperm
getting into the egg. This is really important so
that the offspring has the correct amount of Haploid nucleus,
DNA. containing
chromosomes.
 Specialised Cells
Dendrite Nucleus
Cell body
Nerve Cell
The function of the nerve cell is to carry Axon
nerve impulses around your body.

• These are extremely elongated Myelin

sheath
(long) cells
• They have many branches at
both ends to connect to other nerve
cells
• The long axon (main branch) is
covered in fat to prevent the electrical
impulses leaking out of the cell
Synapse
 Specialised Cells

Root Hair Cell

The function of the root hair cell is
to absorb minerals and water from
the soil.
It has:
• A large surface area to absorb lots
of water
• Thin cell wall to allow water to
pass through easily
• Doesn’t contain any chloroplasts
 Specialised Cells

Muscle Cell
The function of muscle cells is to
produce force and motion.

• It is long and thin when relaxed.

• It is short and fat when it contracts
• It has filaments inside that tighten
to make it contract
• It has many mitochondria to
release energy through respiration.
 Specialised Cells

Red Blood Cell

The function of the red blood cell is
to carry oxygen from the lungs to the
body.
It has:
• A large surface area to volume
ratio
• Contains haemoglobin which
carries oxygen
• Has no nucleus to make room for
more oxygen
 Specialised Cells

Ciliated Epithelial Cell Cilia

The function of epithelial cells is to line
the surface of organs.
Ciliated epithelial cells have cilia (which
are hair-like structures) on the top
surface of the cell.
These cells move substances in one
direction.
These can be found along the lining of
the airways. They move mucus (along
with all the particles trapped in it) up to
the throat where it can be swallowed.
This prevents it reaching the lungs.
 Specialised Cells

Palisade Cell
cell membrane

The function of the palisade cells is to carry out

photosynthesis.
They are found at the top surface of a leaf.
The palisade cell is:
• Tall and has a large surface area to catch as
much sunlight as possible
• Packed with chloroplasts to absorb sunlight
 Your turn:
1. Below is a diagram of a human sperm cell. c) Sperm cells can fertilise egg cells.
B What is fertilisation?
A C

a) Label structures A and C d) Describe the function of mitochondria in the sperm?

A ……………………………………………….
C ……………………………………………….

b) What is found in structure B?

e) What is the function of the head of the sperm?
 Your turn:
2. Four different types of cell are shown below. c) Explain what cell A is adapted for.

A B …………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
C D
d) Explain what cell B is adapted for.
cytoplasm ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
root hair ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

a) Which cells are plant cells? e) All the cells use oxygen.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… What is the name of the process the cells use oxygen in?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
b) What cell structures do these cells share which makes them plant
cells?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 Answers:
1. Below is a diagram of a human sperm cell. c) Sperm cells can fertilise egg cells.
B What is fertilisation?
A C
A sperm penetrates the egg.
The nuclei/genetic information fuses/combines
Sperm and egg are haploid cells, become diploid when zygote
formed.

a) Label structures A and C d) Describe the function of mitochondria in the sperm?

Nucleus
A ………………………………………………. Respiration takes place in the mitochondria to release
Tail
C ………………………………………………. energy. Sperm require energy to swim long distances to
the egg.
b) What is found in structure B?
Mitochondria e) What is the function of the head of the sperm?

The acrosome in the head contains digestive

enzymes which allow the sperm to gain
entry/penetrate the egg.
The nucleus contains DNA.
 Answers:
2. Four different types of cell are shown below. c) Explain what cell A is adapted for.

A B …………………………………………………………………………………
It has a tail for swimming to the egg
It has many mitochondria in the mid piece to provide
…………………………………………………………………………………
energy for swimming
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
It has DNA in its head to carry genetic information, and an
acrosome which contains digestive enzymes to help it penetrate
…………………………………………………………………………………
the egg.
C D
d) Explain what cell B is adapted for.
cytoplasm ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
It has many chloroplasts, which contain the green pigment
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
root hair chlorphyll.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplasts
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

a) Which cells are plant cells? e) All the cells use oxygen.
B and C
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… What is the name of the process the cells use oxygen in?
Respiration
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
b) What cell structures do these cells share which makes them plant
cells? They have cell walls.
They have vacuoles
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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