1. Specialized Cells

2. Learning Objectives
• Relate the structure of the following to their functions:
ciliated cells – in respiratory tract
root hair cells – absorption
xylem vessels – conduction and support
muscle cells – contraction
red blood cells – transport
Define the terms
Tissue, Organ, & Organ System

3. How do animal cells specialize?
In animals, the first type of cells in the developing embryo are stem cells. These are unspecialized cells that go on to form all the different cell types in the adult.
stem cell
red blood cell
sperm cell
Teacher notes
See the ‘Growth and Development’ presentation for more information about stem cells and human growth.
nerve cell
muscle cell

4. Ciliated Cell Designed to stop Lung Damage
They line all the air passages in the lungs.
They have tiny hairs called cilia.
Hairs sweep mucus with trapped dust and bacteria back up the throat.
Nucleus
cilia

5. Nerve Cell (neurone) They are long They have connections at each end
Nucleus
They are long
They have connections at each end
Can carry electrical signals
Their job is to carry nerve impulses to different parts of the body.

6. Red Blood Cell Designed to carry oxygen Found in blood.
Large surface area, for oxygen to pass through.
Contains haemoglobin, which joins with oxygen.
Has no nucleus

7. Questions Why are nerve cells so long? Where are egg cells found?
What is palisade cell specialised to do?
Why does a root hair cell have a thin wall?
The hairs in a ciliated cell are known as?
What is a sperm cell designed to do?
How are red blood cells different from other cells?

8. How are animal cells adapted?
Teacher notes
This click and reveal activity could be used to check students’ understanding of animal cell structures and function.

9. Animal cells: fit for a purpose
Teacher notes
This matching activity could be used as a plenary or revision exercise on animal cells. Students could be asked to complete the questions in their books and the activity could be concluded by the completion on the IWB.

10. Palisade Cell Designed for Photosynthesis Found in the top of a leaf
Tall and has a large surface area to absorb water and minerals.
Packed with chloroplasts to help make plant food.
Nucleus
Chloroplasts

11. Root Hair Cell
Thin cell wall makes it easy for minerals to pass through.
Designed for absorbing.
Vacuole
thin cell wall
Has a large surface which helps it to absorb water and minerals.
Cell membrane
Found in a plant root.

12. How do plant cells specialize?
Unlike animals, many plant cells retain the ability to differentiate and specialize throughout their life. These cells are found in tissues called meristems.
meristem cell
root cell
leaf cell
Teacher notes
See the ‘Growth and Development’ presentation for more information about meristems and plant growth.
sieve cell

13. How are plant cells adapted?
Teacher notes
This click and reveal activity could be used to check students’ understanding of plant cell structures and function.

14. Plant cells: fit for a purpose
Teacher notes
This matching activity could be used as a plenary or revision exercise on plant cells. Students could be asked to complete the questions in their books and the activity could be concluded by the completion on the IWB.