Specialised Cells

Palisade Leaf Cell

Are adapted for photosynthesis by:

Packed with chloroplasts for photosynthesis-so more crammed at top of cell (nearer to the light)
Tall shape means more surface area exposed down side for absorbing CO2 from air in the leaf
Thin shape means you can pack loads of them at top of leaf

Palisade leaf cells- grouped together at top of leaf where most of photosynthesis happens.

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Guard Cells are adapted to open & close pores

Special kidney shape which opens & closes the stomata (pores) in a leaf
When plant has lots of water, guard cells fill with it & go plump and turgid.
- Makes the stomata open so gases can be exchanged for photosynthesis
Plant is short of water, guard cells lose water & become flaccid (making stomata close)
- Helps to stop too much water vapour escaping
Thin outer wals & thickened inner walls make the opening & closing work
Also sensitive to light & close at night to save water, without losing out on photosynthesis

Guard cells- adapted to their function of allowing gas exchange & controlling water loss within a leaf

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Red Blood Cells are addapted to carry oxygen

Concave shape give a bigger surface area for absorbing oxygen
- - Also helps them pass smoothly through capillaries to reach the body cells
Packed with haemoglobin (pigment that absorbs the oxygen)
No nucleus- leaves more room for haemoglobin

RED BLOOD CELLS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE BLOOD

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Sperm & Egg Cells are specialised for REPRODUCTION

Main functions of egg cell- to carry female DNA & to nourish the developing embryo in early stages.
- Contains huge food reserves to feed emrbyo
Sperm fuses with egg, egg's membrane instantly changes its structure to stop any more sperm getting in.
- Makes sure the offspring ends up with right amount of DNA
Function of the sperm is to get male DNA to female DNA
- Long tail & streamlined head to help swim ro egg
- Lot of mitochondria in cell to provide energy needed.
- Carry enzymes in head to digest through egg cell membrane

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