1. Specialized Cells
D. Crowley, 2007

3. Specialized cells
Animal and plant cells are adapted for different functions
The way the cell is formed depends on the job it must perform

4. 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

5. 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…

6. Animal Cells The table below shows some specialized animal cells
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
Long
Connections at each end
Can carry electrical signals
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

7. Plant Cells The table below shows some specialized plant cells
Cell Diagram
Function
Specialisation
Root hair cell
To absorb water and minerals
Large surface area
Leaf cell
To absorb sunlight (needed for photosynthesis)
Many chloroplasts (containing chlorophyll, needed for photosynthesis) located along edges of cell

8. Tissue Specialization
Tissue is a group of cells that works together to perform a specific function

9. 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.