Specialised Cells

Functions

• Allow movement and maintain posture

Adaptations

• Protein fibres that slide over each other to produce muscle contraction
• Cells link with each other so that muscles contract in unison
• Mitochondria provide the energy for muscles contraction

Functions

• It transmits signals throughout the body

Adaptations

• Long so that it takes up a bigger surface area
• Dendrite occasionally has a myelin sheath-helps to speed up impulses travelling through nerves
• Each dendrite can recieve signals from other neurons

Function

• Fertlises the gamete (ovum)

Adaptations

• The tail moves the sperm towards the egg
• The middle section is packed with mitochondria for energy
• Pointed front end to penetrate the egg

Function

• Upwards water transport from roots to shoots and leaves

Adaptations

• Pits allow water to move sideways
• Lining is strong and allows for stretching

Function

• Carry sugar and other organic nutrients made by the plant from the leaves to the rest of the plant

Adaptations

• Cross wall perforated to form sieve plate
• Companion cells have numerous mitochrondia that provide energy

Function

• Absorbs water and mineral ions from the soil

Adaptations

• Thin walls for a large surface area
• Elongated to reach far in the soil solution
• Large vacuole to store solutes