Download Cell Specialization Lab Key

Name ______________________________________
Period ___________
Biology
Cell Specialization Lab
Background:
The cell is one of the most basic units of life. There are millions of different types of cells.
Some organisms are made of a single cell, such as bacteria. Other organisms are
composed of many cells that work together. Organisms that are composed of more
than one type of cell are multi-cellular. Multi-cellular organisms have specialized cells.
These cells have specialized structures and functions. For example, flat, stacked cells like
the cells of your epidermis, are specialized for protection.
Procedure:
In this lab, you will rotate lab stations. Each station will have a numbered microscope
containing a different slide. Each slide you observe will contain cells that have a
specialized shape to perform a specific function. View each slide carefully and record
the following data.
Data:
For each cell:
 Include a drawing of the cell.

Describe the structures and characteristics of the cell.

Using the cell description for each cell, predict the function of the cell.

Predict the cell type.
**Put your data and the answers to the questions in your notebook**
Name ______________________________________
Period ___________
Typical Animal Cell
No cell wall, visible nucleus,
round shape
Can do many functions
No cell wall, bi-concave, no
nucleus
Carries oxygen in blood
No cell wall, long and thin,
visible nucleus
Cells contract together to
move skeleton of animal
No cell wall, columnar shape
Layers of cells on the surface,
acts as a barrier
No cell wall, has dendrites
and long, thin axon
Makes connections with other
neurons, muscle cells and
sensory cells
No cell wall, has flagella
Delivers genetic material to
egg
1
Blood Cell
2
Muscle Cell
6
Epithelial Cell
4
Neuron
7
Sperm Cell
8
Biology
Name ______________________________________
Period ___________
Typical Plant Cell
9
Cell wall, chloroplasts,
visible nucleus
Can do many functions
Cell wall, many cells
undergoing mitosis
Absorbs water and minerals,
grows down into soil, secures
plant in soil
Long, thin extensions
Absorb water by osmosis
Cells forming tubes carry
water, minerals and nutrients
Xylem carries water and up
the plant; phloem carries
sugar from source to sink
Cell wall, many chloroplasts
Specialized for
photosynthesis
Root Cells
11
Root Hairs
5
Stem Cells
3
Leaf Cells
10
Biology