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Year 8, unit 3
Cells
Name: .......................................................................... Class: .......................... Date: ......................
Lesson 4: Cell structure and function
Extension worksheet:
Structure and function have an influence on each other
The structure of a cell helps it carry out its function and the function of a cell helps it to
develop a suitable structure.
Let’s have a look at the cells of the skin to illustrate this. New skin cells constantly
form in the lower epidermis (top layer of the skin). At this stage, they all look round. As
the cells age over the next 1–2 months, they move to the outer surface of the skin
where the environment is different and so they change shape (become flatter) and
produce keratin, to help cope with the outside world. Flatter cells make a less bulky,
thin, top layer and since these cells function as a protective layer, the fibrous keratin
makes it unpalatable to potential invading organisms. Thus, the function of the
epidermis promotes the structure of the individual cells.
See the following website for the change in structure of epidermal skin cells.
‘Structure of skin cells’, ABPI website,
http://www.abpischools.org.uk/page/modules/skin/skin2.cfm?coSiteNavigation_allTopi
c=1 (2013).
Try answering Question 1. a) – f) on this webpage and check your answers.
Again, the structure of a cell helps it carry out its function and the function of a cell
helps it to develop a suitable structure.
We will look at how this two-way statement is demonstrated in human blood cells and
in plant gametes – pollen (male) and ovule (female).
Use the following websites to help complete the table on the next page:
1. ‘Blood cell histology’, University of Nebraska, Omaha website,
http://www.unomaha.edu/hpa/blood.html (August 1997)
2. ‘Plant reproduction and diversity’, University of Illinois, Chicago website,
http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bios100/lecturesf04am/lect18.htm (2004). Scroll
down to the ‘Evolution of pollen and seeds’ section.
© 2013 Australian Science Innovations. You may copy, distribute and adapt this material free of
charge for non-commercial educational purposes, provided you retain all copyright notices and
acknowledgements.
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Year 8, unit 3
Cells
Name: ........................................................................... Class: .......................... Date: .......................
Cell type
Erythrocyte
Structure impacts on function
Function modifies structure
Eosinophil
Monocyte
Pollen
Ovule
© 2013 Australian Science Innovations. You may copy, distribute and adapt this material free of charge for non-commercial educational purposes, provided you retain all copyright
notices and acknowledgements.
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