7B1 CELLS
L2 – Specialised cells
Learning Objectives
• To be able to identify the
specialized cells
• To be able to describe the function
of specialized cells
• To explain how some specialized
cells' structures are related to
their functions (including red blood
cells, neurons, ciliated cells, root
hair cells, and palisade cells).
Let’s start with
• One person takes a card - keep
it hidden from the rest of the
class.
• Describe the organelle without
using the words on the card.
• Let’s see who can name the
correct organelle from your
description.
Quick recap
There is only one of me in the I am found only in plant cells.
cell.
I contain a pigment that absorbs
I contain genetic information. sunlight.
What am I? What am I?
nucleus chloroplast
There are usually lots of me I am a jelly-like substance.
in a cell.
I am where chemical reactions
I help to provide the cell with happen.
energy.
What am I?
What am mitochondria
I? cytoplasm
Treasure hunt
• There are lots of jobs that need doing in an organism, so there are many types of cells.
Each cell is specialized, which means it’s adapted so that it can carry out its job well.
• The adaptations can mean
the cells look different from
the typical animal and plant
cells we have already looked
at.
• There are information cards
around the room containing
either adaptations or
functions that the cells must
do. Find them and see if
you can use the pictures on
your sheet to write them in
the correct box.
Root Hair Cell
Function
To absorb water and minerals from the soil.
Adaptations
• Long root hair shape to fit between grains
of soil so it can reach water.
• Large surface area for diffusion of water
and minerals into the cell.
• No chloroplasts due to being underground.
Palisade Cell
Function
To carry out photosynthesis and make food
(glucose) for the plant.
Adaptations
• Lots of chloroplasts to absorb light to
provide energy for photosynthesis.
• Tall, long shape and a large surface area to
maximize light absorption.
Sperm Cell
Function
To travel to and fuse with an egg cell for
fertilisation.
Adaptations
• Long tail for movement to the egg.
• Lots of mitochondria to release energy to
allow the sperm to move the tail.
Muscle cell
Function
To help the body to move.
Adaptations
• Contains bands of protein that change shape
to contract and relax the muscle.
• Contains lots of mitochondria to provide
energy for muscle contraction.
Nerve cell
Function
To carry nerve impulses around the body.
Adaptations
• Long fibres allow it to carry electrical
impulses up and down the body.
• Branching dendrites at each end to connect
to other nerves or muscles
Ciliated Epithelial cell
Function
To move mucus with trapped dust and
microorganisms away from the lungs
Adaptations
• Tiny hairs called cilia to help to waft the
mucus along the airways.
• Lots of mitochondria to release energy for
cilia to move.
Red blood cell
Function
To transport oxygen around the body.
Adaptations
• Biconcave shape increases the surface area
for the diffusion of oxygen.
• No nucleus so that there is more room for
haemoglobin, which binds to oxygen
molecules.
White blood cell
Function
To fight pathogens which cause disease.
Adaptations
• Some can change shape to squeeze out of
blood vessels and engulf pathogens.
• Some can produce antibodies and antitoxins.
Egg cell
Function
To be fertilised by the sperm cell.
Adaptations
• Cytoplasm contains nutrients for the
developing embryo.
• The membrane changes after fertilisation
to stop any more sperm getting in
A cell that has lots of mitochondria.
A plant cell that has no chloroplasts.
A cell that needs a large surface area.
A cell that can contract.
A cell without a nucleus.
A cell that you’d find in your airways.
A cell that transports oxygen.
Design a Specialised Cell
• Choose one of the cells below and have a go at designing it
yourself.
• You need to think about its role in the body and then decide
what adaptations you think it will need to do that job.
• You could draw and label a diagram or write a description,
whatever suits you best!
skin cell bone cell fat cell
Home learning
• Research the type of cell that you have
designed in today’s lesson.
• Draw or print a picture of what it looks
like and explain how its adapted to its
function.
• Now evaluate your own design.
• How close did you get to the real
thing?
• Did you come up with any of the same
adaptations? Or maybe you come up
with some better ones!
• How could you improve your own design
now that you’ve seen the real one?
