AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Cell specialisation: sperm cells, nerve cells and muscle cells in animals
Sperm, nerve and muscle cells are animal cells specialised for reproduction, coordination and movement.
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Sperm, nerve and muscle cells are animal cells specialised for reproduction, coordination and movement. A sperm cell has a tail for swimming, many mitochondria to release energy for movement, and an acrosome containing enzymes that digest the egg cell membrane, allowing penetration. A nerve cell has a long axon to carry electrical impulses over distance, and branched dendrites to connect with other cells. A muscle cell contains protein filaments that shorten the cell during contraction, and many mitochondria to release energy. Each feature increases efficiency for the cell's job. In exams, name the cell, state its function, then explain how each adaptation helps. Compare cells only when asked.
What earns the marks
- Sperm cell: the tail enables swimming to the egg; many mitochondria release energy for movement; the acrosome contains enzymes that digest the egg cell membrane so the sperm can penetrate the egg.
- Nerve cell: a long axon carries electrical impulses over long distances; branched dendrites form connections with other neurones.
- Muscle cell: protein filaments shorten the cell to cause contraction; many mitochondria release energy for contraction.
- For each cell, link at least one structural feature to its function and explain how this increases efficiency, for example 'many mitochondria release energy for contraction'.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying sperm cells 'swim' without mentioning the tail or energy release.
Put it right by stating the tail and mitochondria and linking them to movement.
Confusing nerve and muscle cell functions.
Put it right by stating nerve cells carry electrical impulses while muscle cells contract to produce movement.
Stating that muscle cells have many mitochondria without explaining why.
Put it right by stating mitochondria release energy for contraction.
Exam tips
- Use the format: feature → how it works → benefit to the cell's function.
- Learn one named adaptation for each cell type and be ready to explain it in detail.
Try the lesson
The start of the Cell specialisation: sperm cells, nerve cells and muscle cells in animals lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which adaptation helps a sperm cell to reach an egg cell?
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Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Sperm cell
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Nerve cell
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Muscle cell
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Adaptation
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See every definition
- Sperm cell
- Has a tail for swimming, many mitochondria to release energy for movement, and an acrosome containing enzymes that digest the egg cell membrane.
- Nerve cell
- Has a long axon to carry electrical impulses over distance and branched dendrites to connect with other cells.
- Muscle cell
- Contains protein filaments that shorten the cell during contraction and many mitochondria to release energy.
- Adaptation
- A structural feature that increases efficiency for the cell's job.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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