Explain how the various specialized cells are modified to carry out their functions in plants and animals
In Animals
Sperm cell
Sperm cells has acrosome containing lytic enzymes that digest the egg membranes for penetration during fertilization. Has a long tail containing numerous mitochondria to generate maximum energy for propulsion/swimming in the vaginal fluid after ejaculation.
Red blood cells
They are flattened, circular/spherical and biconcave in shape to increase the surface area for packaging of
White blood cells
White blood cells are amoeboid in shape hence able to change shape to engulf pathogens through phagocytosis.
lymphocytes produce antibodies to fight pathogens.
Nerve cell
It has extensions called dentrites to receive and send information for sensation.
Ciliated epithelial cells
Epithelial cells are cells found in the epithelium in the nose. They have cilia for propulsion of mucus that traps dust and micro-organisms in the respiratory tract.
Muscle cells
muscle cells are elongated, striated and contractile to bring about movement
;In plants
Guard cells
Guard cells are bean-shaped to regulate the size of the stomata allowing gaseous exchange and control water loss has chloroplasts with
Chlorophyll
For photosynthesis
Root hair cell
Root hair cell are elongated thin-walled with dense cytoplasm for absorption of water and mineral salts.
Epidermal cell
Epidermal cell are thin for protection of inner tissues from mechanical and micro-organism attack.
Palisade cell
Palisade cell contains numerous chloroplasts with chlorophyll for photosynthesis; elongated; to increase surface area for trapping maximum amounts of light energy
Meristematic cell
are thinwalled with dense cytoplasm for primary and secondary growth.