Cell specialisation

Cell specialisation

Cell	Function	Specialised structure
Sperm cell (animal)	Travel through the female reproductive system to fertilise an ovum (egg cell)	Tail to swim Large number of mitochondria to release energy to swim
Nerve cell (animal)	Transmit electrical signals quickly through nervous system	Long cell extension (axons) Myelin sheath insulator increases the speed of transmission of electrical impulses Cell body has extensions to pick up signals from neighbouring cells
Muscle cell (animal)	Contract and relax	Large number of mitochondria to provide energy for contraction
Root hair cell (plant)	Absorb water and minerals from soil	Small thin extension to increase surface area for absorption of water and minerals
Xylem (plant)	Carry water and dissolved minerals upwards from roots up plant stems for transpiration	Empty dead cells form long hollow tubes with no end walls Lignin inside walls supports plant weight
Phloem cell (plant)	Carry sucrose in cell sap from leaves to other parts of the plant via translocation	Living cells form tubes Contain few organelles so sugar travels easily End walls contain small holes (sieve plates)

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