Specialized Cells
D. Crowley, 2007
Specialized cells
Animal and plant cells are adapted for different functions
The way the cell is formed depends on the job it must perform
Review
What parts of a cell are found within animal cells and plant
cells?
Animal cells: Nucleus
Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Plant cells: All of the above +
Cell wall
Large Vacuole
Chloroplasts
Specialization
Many organisms are multi-cellular - they are made up of lots of
cells, not just one!
Many of these cells are specialized, sharing the life processes
(they work together as a team, supporting the organism)
Specialized cells occur in both animals and plants…
Animal Cells
The table below shows some specialized animal cells
Animal Cell
Cell Diagram
Function
Specialisation
Red blood
cells
To carry oxygen
Large surface area for oxygen
Hemoglobin which binds the oxygen
Smooth, round to allow for travel
through small vessels
Nerve cell
To carry nerve impulses to different
parts of the body
Skin cells
To serve as a barrier between your body
and outside elements
Like a brick wall…fit together edge to
edge
Male
reproductive
cell
To reach the female cell in order to join
with it
Long tail for swimming
Head which is able to penetrate the
female cell
Long
Connections at each end
Can carry electrical signals
Plant Cells
The table below shows some specialized plant cells
Plant Cell
Cell Diagram
Function
Root hair
cell
To absorb water and minerals
Leaf cell
To absorb sunlight (needed for
photosynthesis)
Specialisation
Large surface area
Large surface area
Many chloroplasts (containing
chlorophyll, needed for photosynthesis)
located along edges of cell
Tissue Specialization
Tissue is a group of cells that works
together to perform a specific function
Organ Specialization
Organs are composed of two or more
types of tissue combined to perform a
single task
Organs often contain several types of
tissue
Ex: Heart is composed of
muscle,connective,epithelium, and
nervous tissue.