Vocab words

• Specialised
• Function
Learning Intention:
Students develop an understanding of specialised cells and identify and describe different types of
specialised cells. Students appreciate the importance of specialised cells in maintaining organism
function.

Success Criteria:
1. I can define what a specialised cell is.
2. I can identify examples of specialised cells and describe the structure and functions of these
cells
3. I can discuss the function of specialised cells and how their structure enables them to do their
job in maintaining organism function.
Specialised cells
A cell that has a special shape and features that help it to do its job

Most cells contain a nucleus, cytoplasm and cell membrane, but some have
changed their shape and structure to suit a particular job: these are called
specialised cells.
Specialised cells
Our bodies contains over 200 different types of specialised cells.
The structure of the cell determines the cell's function.

Specialised cells vary widely with respect to:

• shape
• size
• number of organelles
• types of organelles.

Specialised animal cells include red blood cells, white blood cells, sperm cells, nerve
cells, and muscle cells.
Red blood cells
Structure: Flat disc shaped with dips on
both sides making it biconcave.
• They contain haemoglobin, which
bonds to oxygen.
• They don't have a nucleus, allowing
more space to carry oxygen.

Function: Carry oxygen to all the cells in

our body and remove carbon dioxide
from the cells.
White blood
cells
Structure: Are of irregular shapes.
• They can squeeze through tiny blood vessels
and move easily to where they're needed
most, like sites of infection or inflammation.
• They can transform which makes make them
effective at engulfing and digesting diseases
and bacteria

Function: These cells are found in your blood.

• They are attracted to diseases and bacteria
that enter your body
• They then ‘eats’ any bacteria/disease so the
microbe can’t infect you and make you ill
Sperm cell
Structure: A tail moves the sperm cell
towards an egg cell.
• The nucleus contains the genetic
material (DNA)
• There are enzymes (like scissors) in
the head of the sperm to help the
sperm get into the egg

Function: To carry the father’s genetic

information (DNA) to the egg
Nerve cell
Structure:
• These are extremely elongated (long)
cells
• They have many branches at both ends
to connect to other nerve cells
• The long axis (main branch) is covered
in fat to prevent the electrical impulses
affecting the surrounding parts of your
body
Function: To carry nerve impulses around
your body
Muscle cells
• Structure: Long and thin to contract
and extend for movement. They have
large numbers of mitochondria to meet
their high energy demands.

• Function: Muscle cells contract to

move our bones, keep our heart
pumping, and move food through our
intestines.
Specialised cells mix and match activity
Specialised cells poster

Pick one of the specialised cells

and create a poster about this cell.
Including:

1. Name of the cell

2. Drawing of the cell
3. Structure of the cell
4. Function of the cell
5. How their structure helps with
their function in the cell