1. Stnd: BI 4.d & 4c
C-Notes: Cell Specialization & Sickle Cell Anemia (Cells, Tissue, Organs)
11/12/13
SWBAT recognize that cells in multi-cellular organisms differ in structure and function.
Objective:

2. All organisms are composed of cells.
Why is Cell Differentiation an important part of the development of a multicellular organism?
This process is needed because one kind of cell cannot perform all the activities required for life.
All organisms are composed of cells.
Unicellular organisms consist of only 1 cell that performs all required function (job) to maintain life.
Ex: Bacteria, Amoeba
Multicellular organisms are composed of more than 1 cell because they are more complex and cells are specialized/differentiated to perform certain functions.
The body needs to supply food and nutrients, transport materials, remove wastes and fight infection.
Ex: Plants and animals

3. What are Specialized Cells?
(Cell Specialization)
Cells that differ in structure (size, shape) and function (the job they perform in the organism).
Ex: bone cell, muscle cells, nerve cells, skin cells, stem cells, blood cells, etc.
This is due to different patterns of gene expression rather than to differences of the genes themselves
Advanced organisms (multi-cellular) have more specialized cells.
An adult human is composed of approximately 100 trillion cells and has over 200 different types of specialized cells.

4. Examples of Cell Specialization
Neuron (nerve cell)
- send and receive signals/info from one part of the body to another (Coordinates body actions.)
- very long and thin
Ex: Brain will send a signal through nerve cells to control a muscle and create movement

5. Examples of Cell Specialization
Red Blood Cells
- Picks up Oxygen from the lungs and carries it to body cells throughout the body.
- flattened round smooth disks so that they can easily flow through blood vessels

6. Examples of Cell Specialization
Epithelial Cell
cells that line the openings in the body and also cover flat surfaces (top layer).
Ex: skin, pancreas, liver, lung and sinuses

7. Examples of Cell Specialization
Muscle cells (3 types)
I. Cardiac Muscle cells
Found ONLY in your heart
II. Smooth Muscle cells
Found in the digestive tract and in the walls of blood vessels
III. Skeletal Muscle cells
found attached to your bones and helps you move. It also helps protect your inner organs.

8. Examples of Cell Specialization
Bone Cell
which are found within the bone tissue, are responsible for the make-up of the skeleton
A collection of bone cells
Will make bone tissue

9. Examples of Cell Specialization
4. Stem Cell
These are NON-SPECIALIZED cells in humans that can develop (differentiate) into many different cell types.
The daughter cells have the same DNA, but different genes may be turned on or off.

10. Stem Cell Research

11. Examples of Cell Specialization
5. Xylem and Phloem Cell (Root Cells)
To absorb and transport materials (water/nutrients) throughout plants from the soil.

12. What is the Level of Organization of an Organism?
Cell Organization:
Cells: basic unit of structure and function of all living things.
Ex: white blood cell, muscle cell
Tissue: A group of similar cells performing the same function.
Example: muscle tissue, blood tissue
Organ: A group of specialized tissues performing one main function.
Ex: stomach, kidney
Organ System: A group of organs that carry on one of the major body functions.
Ex: digestive system, nervous system
Organism: An organism is made up of organ systems that perform its life functions.
Ex: plants and animals

13. Levels of Organization
Cells in higher organisms (sponges and up) are specialized to carry out specific functions such as reproduction, digestion, support, etc. In higher organisms (flatworms and up) cells of the same specialization congregate into tissues. A tissue then is a collection of cells that all perform the same specialized functions. As you can now easily guess – tissues organize, often in layers to make organs and organs in term make up organ systems which collectively make up organisms.
Specialized cell make up the lining of your gut. These along with muscle cells and connective tissue cells organize into a tube, your esophagus. The esophagus is one organ in the digestive organ system that includes the stomach, small and large intestines, liver and pancreas.

14. Tissues in the Arm

15. Cell Specialization External Cues Stem Cells Internal Gene Regulation
Cell Specialization is really all about which proteins are turned on when and for how long. Muscle cells need lots of the proteins actin and myosin that are involved in contraction. Liver cells need lots of digestive enzymes, Cells that line the lungs need enzymes for making mucus – a glycoprotein.
Cell Specialization

16. What is Sickle Cell Anemia?
It is a disorder/ disease caused by a single mutation (missense point mutation) in the DNA code for the protein “hemoglobin” in red blood cell that gives the production of red blood cells a sickle shape.
In Sickle cell anemia , the DNA code contains a substitution of an adenine to a thymine, which causes the amino acid to change Valine Acid for Glutamic Acid (one amino acid change).
Normal RBC’s contain hemoglobin that is 100% full of oxygen.
Sickle Cell hemoglobin contains only about 70% oxygen and the shape can cause blockages in the blood vessels, preventing the RBC’s from reaching body cells with the oxygen they are carrying.
This decrease in the ability to deliver oxygen is a reason why sickle cell anemia is a serious health threat.

17. Normal and Sickled Red Blood Cells in Blood Vessels
Figure B shows abnormal, sickled red blood cells clumping and blocking the blood flow in a blood vessel. The inset image shows a cross-section of a sickled red blood cell with abnormal strands of hemoglobin.
Figure A shows normal red blood cells flowing freely in a blood vessel. The inset image shows a cross-section of a normal red blood cell with normal hemoglobin.
Source from

18. …and how does it affect them?
Blood Cells
They die
Blood Flow
Not so good
Body Parts/Organs
Yeah, they’re affected
Immune System
As open as Detroit’s
offensive line
Normal blood cell – 120 days
Sickle Cell – 16 days
Red bone marrow cant keep up

19. Which one has sickle cells?