IB Specialised Cells PDF

Differentiation ◦ The process by which a cell becomes specialised for a specific function SPECIALISED CELLS Red Blood Cells ◦ Help in the transport of oxygen in the blood 1. Contains Haemoglobin (a red pigment) A. Binds with oxygen and transport...

Differentiation ◦ The process by which a cell becomes specialised for a specific function SPECIALISED CELLS Red Blood Cells ◦ Help in the transport of oxygen in the blood 1. Contains Haemoglobin (a red pigment) A. Binds with oxygen and transports it around the body 2. Has a circular, biconcave shape A. Increase the surface area-to-volume ratio so that oxygen can diffuse in and out at a higher rate 3. Lack a nucleus A. Enable the cell to store more Haemoglobin for transport of oxygen 4. is flexible and can squeeze through capillaries easily A. Oxygen can be transported by the red blood cells easily Skeletal Muscle Cell ◦ Contract and relax for the movement of body 1. Is elongated and cylindrical in shape 2. Contains many mitochondria A. Has mitochondria to provide the energy for the contraction of the muscle cell 3. Has many nuclei A. allow for the synthesis of protein fibres 4. Has contractile protein fibres A. contract and relax to bring about movement Root hair cell ◦ Absorb water and mineral slats from the soil for the plant 1. Has a long and narrow extension A. To increase surface area-to-volume ratio to absorb water and mineral salts at a higher rate 2. Has lower water potential in the vacuole compared to the soil A. There is a concentration gradient and water move from a region of higher water potential (soil) to a region of lower water potential (root hair cell) by osmosis 3. Large surface area of cell surface membrane A. Greater absorption of water and mineral salts