Cell Differentiation (OCR Gateway GCSE Biology)

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Cell Specialisation

  • Humans are made from trillions of cells, but only of about 250 different cell types
  • Specialised cells are cells that have a particular structure and composition of sub-cellular structures
    • The structural differences between different types of cells enables them to perform specific functions
    • This allows organisms to operate more efficiently
  • Cells specialise by undergoing a process known as differentiation
    • e.g. to develop into a nerve cell the cytoplasm and cell membrane of an undifferentiated cell must elongate to form connections over large distances
  • Most animal cells (except stem cells) differentiate at an early stage during development to become specialised
    • They then lose their ability to differentiate
  • The majority of plant cells never lose the ability to differentiate into specialised cell types
    • They retain the ability to fully differentiate throughout the life of a plant

Differentiation, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

Diagram showing the differentiation of a human cell

Examples of Specialised Cells

Examples of Specialised Cells in Animals Table

Examples of specialised cells in animals table, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

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Ciliated epithelial cells - the hair-like cilia beat to move mucus and any trapped particles

Nerve Cell, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

Nerve cells are long with extensions and branches to allow communication with other nerve cells or organs

Red Blood Cells, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

Red blood cells are biconcave and contain no nucleus to maximise transport of oxygen

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Sperm cells have a tail to enable the sperm to move

Egg Cell, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

An egg cell contains a lot of cytoplasm rich in nutrients

Examples of Specialised Cells in Plants Table

Examples of specialised cells in plants table, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

Root Hair Cell, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

Root hair cell have a large surface area to maximise absorption of water and minerals

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Xylem cells lose their top and bottom walls to form a continuous tube through which water moves through

Palisade Mesophyll Cell, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

Palisade mesophyll cell contain many chloroplasts to help maximise photosynthesis

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Phil

Author: Phil

Expertise: Biology

Phil has a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham, followed by an MBA from Manchester Business School. He has 15 years of teaching and tutoring experience, teaching Biology in schools before becoming director of a growing tuition agency. He has also examined Biology for one of the leading UK exam boards. Phil has a particular passion for empowering students to overcome their fear of numbers in a scientific context.