1. Specialized Cells 50 – 75 Trillion cells in your body
Heart
Nerve
Blood
Sperm
Etc.

2. Brainstorm
Why would our bodies evolve 220 different types of cells?

3. What is a Specialized Cell?
A cell that has a particular structure and performs a specific function
Each type has unique shape, size and features allowing it to do its job accurately

4. The cells in animals are not all identical.
They perform specific functions, such as delivering oxygen and fighting disease, moving the skeleton, storing energy or coordinating the whole body.

5. Plant cells also have a variety of specialized cells
Plant cells also have a variety of specialized cells. Cells in the leaf of a tree have a different structure and function from the cells in the trunk.

6. What are Unspecialized Cells?
Cells that divide quickly and do not have a particular function yet  STEM CELLS
Day 10 – blastocyst, Day 22 – specialization of cells – heart cells to build a heart

7. STEM CELLS

8. Only stem cells can differentiate into many cell types.

9. Where are stem cells located?
Embryos
Amniotic Fluid

10. Where are stem cells located?
Some adult tissue
Brain
Bone marrow
Blood/blood vessels
Skeletal muscles
Skin
Liver

11. What is Cell Differentiation?
The process of an unspecialized, stem cell developing into a specialized cell type.

12. BRAINSTORM…
What do you think determines what type of cell a stem cell will become?

13. What determines the pathway for cell differentiation?
DNA!
DNA has specific genes which are instructions for one protein
Think different chapters in a book
Cells send each other signals which can turn genes on or off
Imagine removing a chapter from a book or adding a new one
Only the genes that are turned on will be used to make proteins
Imagine only reading certain chapters of the book
Different proteins made leads to different types of cells
If you and I are reading different chapters of a book, we will end up with a different story

14. Let’s Practice
How does the structure of the red blood cell relate to it’s function?

15. Let’s Practice
How does the shape of these cells relate to its function?
Found in…
Lungs & Fallopian Tubes

16. Let’s Practice
How does the shape of these cells relate to its function?
Found in…
Digestive System