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1.2 Cell Specialisation

Stem cells can differentiate into specialized cells through cell specialization. Specialized cells take on unique shapes, structures and functions adapted for their specific roles. Examples include red blood cells for oxygen transport, root hair cells for water and mineral absorption, muscle cells for movement, and palisade cells in leaves for photosynthesis. Specialized cells combine to form tissues, organs and organ systems that work together to carry out important body functions.

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158 views7 pages

1.2 Cell Specialisation

Stem cells can differentiate into specialized cells through cell specialization. Specialized cells take on unique shapes, structures and functions adapted for their specific roles. Examples include red blood cells for oxygen transport, root hair cells for water and mineral absorption, muscle cells for movement, and palisade cells in leaves for photosynthesis. Specialized cells combine to form tissues, organs and organ systems that work together to carry out important body functions.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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1.

2 Cell Specialisation
 Cell specialisation is when newly divided cells begin to change shape,
inner structure, cytoplasm, and cell membrane.
 This originates from a stem cell.
 Stem cells are unspecialised (undifferentiated) biological cells, and
they exist throughout the body after embryonic development.
 Each stem cell can differentiate into specialised cells and can divide,
manufacturing more stem cells (through mitosis).
 Fig. 1.2.1 gives an example of differentiation from embryonic
development:
A- fertilisation and embryonic development
B- stem differentiation into specialised cells

Fig.1.2.1 Stem cell differentiation

 Multi cellular organisms are composed of numerous specialised cell.


 Cell specialisation enables the cell to adapt to a specific function more
effectively and efficiently.

Some examples of specialised are:


o red blood cell
o root hair cell
o neurone cell
o muscle cell
o palisade cell
Red Blood Cells
 Red blood cells are made in the red bone marrow of the short bones,
e.g. vertebrae, sternum, rib.

Fig. 1.2.2 Picture showing red blood cells.

 Red blood cells are composed of cell membrane, cytoplasm, but no


nucleus.
 The main function of red blood cells is to transport oxygen to all
respiring cells.
 This function is enabled by the red protein, haemoglobin, which are
found in large numbers in the cytoplasm.
 Red blood cells are very minute so that they are able to squeeze
through capillaries bringing the oxygen very close to nearly all body
cell.
 Their disc-like biconcave shape gives them a large surface area which
increases diffusion of oxygen in and out of cell.

Root Hairs

 These are modified epidermal cell of the roots.


 Their main function is to absorb water and mineral salts by osmosis
and active uptake respectively.
Fig. 1.2.3 Root Hair

STRUCTURAL ADAPTATION ADAPTATION


allows maximum storage for the
Have a large vacuole
absorbed water and mineral salts
No chloroplasts
Enables the vacuole to stretch out
Lowers water potential in the root
Have cell sap
so that osmosis occurs faster
Provides energy for the active
Have large number of mitochondria
transport of mineral salts
Increases surface area to volume
Shaped like tiny finger-like ratio for faster and maximum
projection absorption of water and mineral
salts

Muscle Cells

 Muscle cells have a cell membrane, cytoplasm, and many nuclei in


each cell instead of one nucleus.
 The cytoplasm contains numerous protein fibres which can shorten the
cell when energy is required.
 Cells of muscles are long and elastic, enabling the muscle tissue to
contract and relax.
 Muscle cells are mainly involved in movement such as breathing
movements, chewing, and movement of limbs.
Fig. 1. 2.4 Muscle cell

Some of the structures that enable the muscle cells to adapt to their
function are:

 They possess numerous mitochondria - for producing energy needed


during movement.
 They are long and thin - this allows muscle tissue to contract and
relax.
 Their elasticity allows the muscle tissue to return to normal after each
contraction.

Palisade Cells

 They are also called palisade mesophyll cells as they are located in
the mesophyll layer of a leaf.
 Study the diagram in Fig.1.2.5 showing the position of the palisade
cells in a leaf.

Fig.1.2.5 Section through a leaf


 Palisade cells are vertically elongated and closely packed to enable
them to absorb maximum sunlight.
 Numerous chloroplasts are found in palisade cells, this maximises the
amount of light trapped for photosynthesis.

Neurone cells
 Also called the nervous system or nerve cells.
 These cells are specialised for transmitting impulses throughout the
body.
 Impulses (signals) are of an electro-chemical nature.
 Nerve cells are very long(more than metre),enabling impulse
transmission to and from all parts of the body.

Fig. 1.2.6 Neurone cell

Xylem vessels

 Xylem vessels are unique cells, they are dead.


 They contain no cell membrane, cytoplasm or nucleus. This allows
water to flow freely.
 The xylem vessels form a continuous tube because of the absence of
end walls.
 The walls of the xylem vessels contain lignin, a very hard, strong and
waterproof substance.
 Xylem vessels contain water and dissolved mineral salts which they
transport from the roots, up the stem, to the leaves and flowers.
 Xylem vessels consists of elements, these are long thin cells which
increase surface area and allow diffusion to occur fast.
 The elements are arranged end to end, creating a continuous flow of
water, this helps to support the plant.

Fig.1.2.7 Xylem vessel

Tissues

 Specialised cells combine to form tissue.


 Tissue is a group of similar cells, all working together to perform the
same function.

Organ

 Tissues combine to form an organ.


 An organ is a group of different tissues which work together to perform
a specific function.
 One example is a leaf, which is a plant organ with a main function to
make sugars by photosynthesis. This is achieved in the tissues called
the palisade mesophyll and spongy mesophyll.

Organ systems

 Organs combine to form an organ system.


 Organ system is composed of group of organs with common functions
to perform body functions.
 For example, the skin is one of the many organs that make up the
nervous system. The lungs are part of the gaseous exchange. The
heart is one of the organs that plays a major role in the circulatory
system.
 Figure 1.2.8 shows some of the cells, tissues, and organ that make up
the circulatory system.
Fig. 1.2.8 Composition of the circulatory system.

The cells , tissues, organ and system that make up the transport system
in plants are shown in Figure 1.2.9.

Fig.1.2.9 Composition of the transport system in plants.

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