Cell

Specialization

Why Specialize?
A single cellular organism performs all
required functions in one cell.
e.g., Amoeba.

Why Specialize?
Multicellular organisms are much more
complex.
The body needs to supply food and
nutrients, transport materials, remove
wastes and fight infection.

Cell Differentiation
The process by which cells develop special structures or
lose certain structures to enable them to carry out
specific functions.
Hence, cells become
differentiated to form
specialised cells.
The structure of each cell is
adapted to perform the specific
functions of the cell.

Cellular Differentiation

What Causes
Specialization?

1. Cytoplasm Differences:

Asymmetric distribution of
organelles & other factors in
zygote.

Results in different daughter

cells.

What Causes
Specialization?
2. Environmental Conditions:
Variations in temperature and nutrients.
3. Neighbouring Cells:

Substances produced by nearby cells

can diffuse to nearby cells.

What Causes
Specialization?

The three factors

listed may result
in the expression
of different genes
within a cell.

Abnormal Development
Chemical contamination of the
environment can affect cellular
development.

Stem Cells
Cells that can
differentiate into
many different
cell types.
The daughter
cells
have the same
DNA,

Watch This
!!!

Types of Stem Cells

1. Embryonic Stem Cells
Differentiates into any cell type.

2. Adult Stem Cells

Exists in some tissues but can only form
specific types of cells.
E.g., bone marrow stem cells form white
blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.

Specialised Cells

Red Blood Cell

Sperm Cell
Nerve Cell

Root Hair Cell

Egg Cell

Animal
Specialized Cells
1. Red Blood Cell
2. White blood Cell and its types
3. Ciliated Epithelial Cell
4. Nerve Cell
5. Muscle Cell
6. Sperm Cell (gamete cell)
7. Ovum Cell (gamete cell)

Red Blood Cells

Function: Carry
oxygen from lungs
to cells of the body.
Adaptation:
contain a red
substance called
haemoglobin,
which picks up
oxygen.
Mature red blood
cells have no
nucleus

White Blood Cells

White blood cells
defend the body
against germs.
One type of WBC
can engulf germs,
these are called
Phagocytes
One type of WBC
can produce
substances called
antibodies which
destroy germs or

Ciliated Epithelial
Cells
Protect us by trapping

any dust or bacteria in

the air we breathe.
Found in the trachea,
bronchi and oviducts.
Mucus traps the dust
particles, then the
cilia beats in a rhythm
to move this mucus
out of the body.
It helps the ovum to
move.

Muscle Cells - Smooth

Muscle
Smooth muscle
cells can
contract
(shorten), this
contraction
cause things to
move.
Found in internal
organs like
stomach, food
canals

Muscle Cell - Skeletal

Muscle
Skeletal muscle
cells or striated
or voluntary
muscles
Can shorten to
move bones.
Long, cylinder,
shaped fibres that
have striped
appearance.

Muscle Cell - Cardiac

Muscle
Cardiac muscle cells
are found in the
heart.
The contraction and
relaxation of cardiac
muscles cells cause
the heart to pump
blood throughout the
body
Stripe appearance
and from short
branching threads or

Nerve Cell
Carry messages,
called impulses,
from one part of
the body to
another.
Adaptations:
dendrites, axon,
cell body
3 types: motor,
sensory,

Bone Cells
Bone cells
make bone to
support the
body
Make bone
marrow which
makes red
and white
blood cells

Epithelial Cells
Cover and
protect surfaces
inside and
outside the
body.
The cheek cells
inside the
mouth and skin
cells are
examples of
epithelial cells
Adaptation:

Gametes- Sex Cells Sperm Cell

Sperm cellmales have a
tail for
swimming, a
head containing
the nucleus,
produced in the
testis in males

Gametes - Sex Cells Egg Cell

Egg cellfemales store
food in the
cytoplasm for
developing
embryo, larger
than other
cells,
produced in
the ovaries.

Plant Specialized Cells

1. Root Hair Cell
2. Palisade Cell
3. Xylem Vessel /Cell
4. Guard Cells

Root Hair Cells

Found on
the roots of
plants in
little hairs.
Long and
thin to
absorb
water from
the soil

Palisade Cells
Found in the
leaves of
plants
contains lots
of chloroplast
for
photosynthes
is

Xylem Cells/ Vessels

Help in transporting
water.
It is found in the
stem.
It is long , thin
hollow tube for
uninterrupted flow
of water.
The vessels are
formed of column
of cells with no end
walls, nucleus and

Guard Cells
Located in the
lower leaf
epidermisof
plants.
Form tiny pores in
the leaf surface
necessary for gas
exchange into and
out of the plant.