Cycle Two
Objective 1.4: Differentiate between plant and animal cells
Activity One
Complete the following table that shows the differences between plant and animal cells. Number one is done for
you.
Cell component Plant cell Animal cell
Cell membranes √ √
Cell walls
Nuclei
Mitochondria
Chloroplasts
Objective 1.5: Explain the importance of cell specialization in multi-cellular organisms
Cells are highly organized and specialized to carry out various tasks in living things.
Animals and plants are multicellular with bodies made of many cells that work together. Most multicellular
organisms develop from a single cell - a fertilized egg. This cell divides to produce a two celled embryo. The
cells continue to grow and divide to form a much larger structure.
Specialized cells
To function efficiently we have cells that are specialized to carry out certain functions. This means that the
functions of the body are divided between different groups of cells.
Animal cells
Epithelial cells are found on the surfaces of organisms, for example forming the outer layer of our skin. They
also line internal structures, such as the windpipe and lungs.
Ciliated epithelial cells are found in the air passages in the lungs (windpipe and bronchi) and in the fallopian
tubes in the female reproductive system. These cells have tiny hair like cilia on their surfaces. Cilia beat back
and forth to create a current in the fluid next to the cell surfaces.
In the lungs, cilia move the mucus that traps dust and pathogens up to the nose and throat. In the fallopian tubes,
cilia move the egg from the ovary to the uterus.
Squamous epithelial cells are very thin cells. They form the outer layer of the skin and line the tiny air pockets
in the lungs. Squamous cells form the lining of blood vessels.
Most neurones (nerve cells) have very long processes that transmit nerve impulses over great distances in the
body. There are many of these in the brain and spinal cord.
The muscle cells in the gut and other places in the body are long thin cells which each have a single nucleus.
The ‘cells’ in the muscles that move our skeleton are different. They each have may nuclei and are often called
muscle fibres than muscle cells.
Plant cells
There are far fewer types of specialized cells in plants than in animals. Epidermal cells form the tissue that
surrounds leaves. The guard cells that open and close the stomata are specialized epidermal cells. Root hair cells
that absorb water and mineral ions are also epidermal cells.
Some cells become specialized for transport. Xylem calls gain a thick cell wall as they develop; they also lose
their cell contents to make it easy to transport water from the roots to leaves. Phloem cells do not develop thick
walls and retain some of their contents. They are used for the transport of a solution rich in sucrose, amino acids
and other solutes. This fluid moves from leaves to roots, flowers and fruits.
Organization of cells
Most specialized cells are organized into tissues. A tissue is a group of similar cells that work together to carry
out one major function. Ciliated cells are arranged into thin sheets that line the trachea. Their function is to
move mucus away from the lungs carrying bacteria, dirt or dust that we breathe in.
Ciliated epithelial tissue is just one of several that make up the whole of the trachea. For example, there is
cartilage, muscle tissue, some nervous tissue, blood tissue and glands that secrete mucus. The trachea is an
example of an organ. An organ is a group of tissues that perform one or more functions for the body. Plants
have three organs: root, stem and leaf.
The trachea and the lungs make up the gas exchange system.
An organ system comprises several organs that work together for one or more major functions of the body. In
animals, there are systems for digestion, movement, coordination, excretion, transport and reproduction. In
plants, there are systems for transport of water through the plant leading to transpiration and the translocation of
compounds such as sucrose.
The idea that cells specialize in certain functions is known as division of labour. Cells work together for the
efficient functioning of the body. Most specialized cells carry out one function in the body and rely on other
cells and tissues to provide the substances that they need and take away waste products.
Activity Two
1. Using annotated diagrams, compare the structure of an unspecialized plant cell with that of an
unspecialized animal cell.
2. Complete Table 2 to show the differences between plant and animal cells.
3. State ONE function of EACH of the following organelles:
a. Mitochondrion
b. Chloroplast