Specialized Cells

Discussion 2: Specialized Structures of Cells

Specialized Structures
Form follows functions
 Specialized Structures

ANIMAL CELLS PLANT CELLS

 Specialized Structures
ANIMAL CELLS

Centrosome

The organelle where all microtubules originate can

replicate itself before a cell divides. It has a role in
pulling the duplicated chromosomes to opposite ends
of the dividing cell. Exact function is still unclear.
 Specialized Structures
ANIMAL CELLS

Flagella are long hair-like structures that

are extended from the cell membrane.
This is also present in some species of
bacteria.
 Specialized Structures
ANIMAL CELLS

Cilia are short-hair-like structures that can

also move not only the entire cell but as
well as substances along the outer surface
of the cell.
 Specialized Structures
ANIMAL CELLS

Lysosome

The cell’s “garbage disposal” or also known as

“suicide bag”. It has hydrolytic enzymes which
can breakdown damaged organelle and large
molecules.
 Specialized Structures
ANIMAL CELLS

Peroxisome

Small, round organelles enclosed by membranes

containing oxidative enzymes within that breaks down
fatty acids and amino acids. It also detoxifies many
poisons that may enter the body.
 Specialized Structures
PLANT CELLS

Glyoxysomes are specialized

peroxisomes in plants which convert
stored fats into sugars.
 Specialized Structures
PLANT CELLS

Cell Wall

A rigid covering that protects the cell, provides

structural support, and gives shape to the cell. Fungal
and protistan cells also have cell walls. In plants, the
chief component of their cell wall is cellulose, chitin in
fungi and peptidoglycan in bacteria.
 Specialized Structures
PLANT CELLS

Chloroplast

It contains a green pigment called chlorophyll

which captures light energy to initiate
Photosynthesis. Some bacteria perform this
process, but their chlorophyll (bacteriophyll) is not in
a chloroplast but instead these pigments are
embedded in their specialized cell membrane.
 Specialized Structures
PLANT CELLS

Central Vacuole

It occupies most of the area of a plant cell and plays a

key role in regulating the cell’s concentration of water
in changing environmental conditions. When it holds
more water, the cell gets larger without having to invest
a lot of energy in synthesizing new cytoplasm. re
embedded in their specialized cell membrane.