Download Specialized Cells

S PECIALIZED C ELLS
PARTNER A CTIVITY:
S PECIALIZED C ELLS
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With your partner I would like you to take 1 minute
and write down as many specialized cells as you can
think of...

Try to think of specific cells that perform different
jobs and have different appearances.

When you have done this, try to think of what
specific function they provide...

These types of cells are said to be specialized for a
certain task.
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Make sure your WRITE THEM DOWN!
H UMANS

Going back a few lessons, a starfish only has a
few different types of cells that make it up;
however a human has about a hundred different
types of cells making it up.
S PECIALIZATION
( DIFFERENTIATION ): H OW ?
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It all starts with a stem cell...


Can anyone tell me what a stem cell is?
Everyone starts out as one stem cell which them
divides into more stem cells, which then
differentiates into the specialized cells...
H OW ?

Stems cells are said to be totipotent. Meaning:
they are capable to expressing any gene in your
DNA, as well as becoming any cell in the body.

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When a cell chooses it’s path, it is then said to be
unipotent.
It is important to note...

All cells contain all of your genes; however, each
specialized cell only expresses the genes
necessary to carry out its job.
S PECIALIZED C ELLS : S HAPE
AND F UNCTION

A lot of the time we can often tell about the
function of a cell by its shape.


Example: Nerve Cell

Take a look at the picture and try to think of the
reason as to why it is shaped the way it is…Think
about its function…
Nerve cells are used to transmit signals
throughout the body, from the brain to different
parts of the body; so it is shaped like a “wire” so
this can be carried out.
L EARNING C HECK

What is cell specialization?

List three different functions that animal cells
carry out.

Why would different types of cells have different
types of organelles?
Y OUR TASK : W HAT DO OUR
CELLS DO ?

Complete the table labelled “What do our Cells do?”

In this table you are going to summarize some of the
major types of cells in plant and animal systems.

Try to write down a couple key functions as well as
any other key points that pertain to their structure
and function.

Information packages for each type of cell are
available on the teacher’s desk, please take one
package at a time with your partner to complete
the task.