It is when a cell creates new sub-cellular structures to let it perform specific functions. When this happens, a cell becomes specialised.
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When does cell differentiation happen in
animals?
It happens during an organism's development.
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How and why do cells differentiate in an animal?
Organisms start as one cell and then these cells divide into embryos that differentiate to produce cells that can perform all bodily functions.
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When do plants differentiate?
Plants have the ability to differentiate
throughout their whole lifetime.
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Why do plants differentiate?
To make new tissues.
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Is cell differentiation common or rare in adult animals?
Rare
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Why do adult animals differentiate?
Their cells mostly divide in order to replace cells and repair tissues (new tissues are rarely created).
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Why do sperm cells have to be specialised?
They need to fertilise eggs and to do this they need to travel long distances relative to their size and break through the egg in order to fertilise it.
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What 4 things does a sperm cell have to help fertilisation?
Flagellum (Tail)
Acrosome
Middle section (Mitochondria)
Head (Nucleus)
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What is the flagellum used for?
The flagellum is use for the sperm's movement and allows it to travel long distances towards the egg.
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What is the acrosome used for?
The acrosome is found at the tip of the head and has the digestive enzymes needed to penetrate the egg.
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What is the mitochondria in the middle section used for?
The middle section is filled with mitochondria to provide the sperm with energy when it travels
long distances to get to the egg.
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What is the nucleus in the head used for?
The nucleus is located inside the head and is responsible for one half of an organisms genetic information. The other half is inside the egg cell.
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Why are neurones (nerve cells) specialised?
To transmit electrical messages around the body.
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What are the 3 main features that help neurones (nerve cells) transmit electrical messages?
Axon
Dendrites
Myelin Sheath
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What is the axon and what is its function?
The axon is the part of the cell that electrical signals travel along. These are long so that electrical signals can travel successfully.
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What is the Myelin Sheath and what is its function?
A sheath made of a material called Myelin surrounds the axon and prevents any electrical signals from leaking out. The sheath also acts as an insulator to increase the speed of transmission of the signals.
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What are the dendrites and what are their functions?
Dendrites are branches off of the nerve cell to transfer electrical messages to other neurons. These messages travel across a synapse to to the other neurons.
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Why are muscle cells specialised?
They need the ability to apply force and produce movement.
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What 2 main ways help muscle cells produce
force and movement?
Protein Fibres
Mitochondria
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What is the function of protein fibres within a muscle cell?
They contract within the cell and allow the muscle to move.
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What is the function of mitochondria within a muscle cell?
Lots of the mitochondria generates lots of
energy for movement.
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