Specialised Cells

Nerve Cells

Function:

To carry electrical impulses around the body.

Adaptations

• Long and thin- so information can travel quickly over a distance.
  
• Dendrites- allow them to communicate with other cells.
• Myelin Sheath- acts as an electrical insulator. 

Sperm Cell

Function

To fertilize an ovum.

Adaptations

• Tail- swimming
• Streamlined- to allow them to travel quicker. 
• Many Mitochondria- for energy.
  

Xylem Vessel

Function:

Carry water and minerals from roots to leaves and other parts of the plant.

Adaptation:

• Hollow- for liquid to pass through.
• Lack of cell walls- to act as a pipe.
  
• Lignin- to hold the structure of the cell.

Root Hair Cell

Function

Aborbs water and minerals.

Adaptations:

• Very Large Surface Area.
• Thin Cell Walls- so minerals and water can easily pass through.
• Positioned close to Xylem Cell- so water can be quickly transported to the plant. 
  

Muscle Cell

Function:

To cause movement.

Adaptations:

• Contract-so they can pull on things
• Mitochondria- lots of energy for lots of movement.
  

Phloem Tubes

Function:

To transport sugars around the plant. 

Adaptations:

• Perforated sieve plates- allow fluids to pass through.
• Lots of mitochondria- to provide energy.
• Cytoplastic strands- sugar can be moved up or down- it gives an advantage of moving in two directions.
  

Red Blood Cell

Function:

Carries oxygen around the body.

Adaptations:

• Concave shape
• Contain haemoglobin

Ciliated Cell

Function:

They flick dirt away from the lungs.

Adaptation:

• Cilia- to 'flick' dirt away from the lungs.