Specialised Cell
Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
A specialised cell is a cell that has a special shape or special features to do a certain job in the organism.
About Specialised Cells
- All multicellular organisms have specialised cells.
- Specialised cells make an organism more efficient than if every cell was the same.
- Specialised cells have specific adaptations that make them good at their function.
- Cells can be specialised by having more mitochondria or chloroplasts than usual. They might be specialised with tiny hairs called cilia, or have an elongated shape.
These are some specialised cells in plants that you should know:
Some specialised cells in animals that you should know:
Specialised Plant Cells
| Palisade Cell | Spongy Mesophyll Cell | Guard Cells |
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| Xylem Cell | Root Hair Cell | |
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Specialised Animal Cells
| Muscle Cell | Nerve Cell | Ciliated Epithelial Cells |
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| Red Blood Cell | White Blood Cell | Sperm Cell |
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| Egg Cell | ||
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References
AQA
- Specialised cell, pages 12, 13, 26-7, 60-1, 72-3, 149, GCSE Biology; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Specialised cells, page 14, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Specialised cells, pages 14, 24, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Specialised cells, pages 30-32, GCSE Biology, CGP, AQA
- Specialised cells, pages 30-32, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Biology, CGP, AQA
Edexcel
- Specialised cells, page 26, GCSE Biology, CGP, Edexcel
- Specialised cells, pages 13, 26, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel
- Specialised cells, pages 8-9, GCSE Biology, Pearson, Edexcel