Specialised cells, unspecialised cells and differentiation
I can describe examples of specialised cells in humans and plants, and explain how unspecialised cells become specialised.
Specialised cells, unspecialised cells and differentiation
I can describe examples of specialised cells in humans and plants, and explain how unspecialised cells become specialised.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Most cells in multicellular organisms are specialised – they have structures that are adapted for the jobs the cells.
- Multicellular organisms grow (make new cells by mitosis) and develop (make specialised cells to form tissues/organs).
- Unspecialised cells become specialised through a process called differentiation.
- During differentiation, particular genes in the cell’s genome are switched off or on.
- Specialised cells only use particular genes, so only make the proteins needed for the job they are adapted to do.
Common misconception
Only animals are multicellular; that specialised cells are individual; all DNA in a cell is the same so will produce the same proteins.
Examples of multicellular plants, with specialised cells, tissues and organs provided; show images of cells as tissues rather than just individual. All cells have the same DNA, but it is whether the genes are turned on that makes them specialise.
Keywords
Multicellular - Animal, plants and fungi made of more than one cell.
Specialised cell - Cells with adaptations to carry out a particular function in a multicellular organism.
Unspecialised cell - Cell with no specific function, but has the capability to turn into different types of cells.
Differentiation - The process of an unspecialised cell becoming a specialised one through the mechanism of turning genes on and off.
Gene - A short section of DNA that carries the genetic code to produce a protein.
Equipment
None required.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Stores nutrients for cell growth.
Lots of mitochondria to provide energy for movement.
Lots of mitochondria to provide energy for contraction.
Folded membrane to increase surface area for absorption.
Gaps in the cell wall to allow sugars to be transported.
Waxy layer for protection.
