Animal and Plant Cell Types Quiz

Ciliated Cells (Animals)

• Specialized cells with cilia (hair-like structures) that move fluids or particles across surfaces.
• Cilia beat in coordinated waves to move substances.
• Cell body contains the nucleus and organelles.
• Basal body anchors the cilium to the cell membrane.
• Move mucus or particles (e.g., in the respiratory system).
• Aid in locomotion in some unicellular organisms.
• Move fluids in the respiratory tract to protect lungs.
• Located in the respiratory (trachea, bronchi), reproductive (fallopian tubes), and brain (ependymal cells).
• Examples include epithelial cells in the trachea and ependymal cells in the brain.

Palisade Cells (Plants)

• Specialized plant cells in leaves for photosynthesis.
• Contain chloroplasts (with chlorophyll) for photosynthesis.
• Have a cell wall for structural support.
• Also have a nucleus, cytoplasm, and other organelles.
• Photosynthesize, converting sunlight, CO2, and water into glucose (plant food) and oxygen.
• Located in the upper mesophyll layer of leaves for maximum sunlight absorption.
• Tightly packed for maximum light exposure and chloroplast function.

Pollen Cells (Plants)

• Male reproductive cells in plants for fertilization.
• Have a tough exine (outer coating) for protection.
• Include a generative cell that divides to form sperm cells.
• Produce a pollen tube to deliver sperm to the ovule.
• Fertilize the ovule in the female reproductive system.
• Found in the anthers of flowering plants.
• Pollen tube grows down the style to deliver sperm to the ovule after pollination.

Red Blood Cells (Humans)

• Specialized cells transporting oxygen from lungs to tissues and CO2 in the opposite direction.
• Have a biconcave shape for increased gas exchange surface area and narrow capillary passage.
• Contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds and carries oxygen.
• Lack a nucleus for maximum hemoglobin space.
• Transport oxygen from lungs to tissues, and CO2 back to the lungs.
• Located in blood vessels throughout the body.
• Hemoglobin binds oxygen in the lungs, and cells deliver it to tissues while collecting CO2 for expulsion via lungs.

Root Hair Cells (Plants)

• Specialized plant cells in roots for water and mineral absorption.
• Have long, thin root hairs to increase surface area for absorption.
• Composed of a cell wall, nucleus, cytoplasm (for water and mineral movement).
• Absorb water and minerals from the soil using osmosis and active transport.
• Involved in transporting absorbed water and minerals throughout the plant.
• Located in the epidermis of plant roots, close to the tips.

Xylem Cells (Plants)

• Specialized plant cells for water and mineral transport from roots to other parts.
• Form long, tube-like tracheids and vessels.
• Xylem walls are strengthened by lignin.
• Mature xylem cells are dead and hollow.
• Transport absorbed water and minerals throughout the plant.
• Provide structural support due to their strong cell walls.
• Found in the plant's vascular tissue (vascular bundle).
• Water moves upward via transpiration and cohesion (through xylem vessels and tracheids).

Nerve Cells (Neurons) (Humans)

• Specialized cells transmitting electrical signals for communication throughout the body.
• Cell body contains the nucleus to control cell functions.
• Have dendrites (branch-like structures) to receive signals from other neurons.
• Axon is a long extension to carry signals away from the cell body.
• Myelin sheath is a fatty layer surrounding axons to speed signal transmission.
• Synapses are junctions where signals are transmitted through neurotransmitters.
• Transmit electrical signals between brain, spinal cord, and body parts.
• Allow body to respond to stimuli and coordinate actions.
• Located in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
• Neurons transmit impulses through axons, communicate at synapses, and enable body responses.