Cell differentiation — AQA GCSE Biology
Test yourself on Cell differentiation with AQA GCSE practice questions.
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Cell differentiation explained
Once a cell has differentiated, it is described as a specialised cell.
Read the full explanation
This means its structure has been modified so that it performs one particular function well. Specialised cells are the building blocks of tissues and organs in multicellular organisms. Examples include a nerve cell with a long fibre to carry electrical impulses, a root hair cell with a large surface area to absorb water and mineral ions, and a muscle cell containing many mitochondria and protein filaments for contraction. Specialisation usually means the cell can no longer divide, because it has committed to its role. Recognising a specialised cell therefore means identifying the feature that matches its job, not simply naming the cell.
Your focus
- Define a specialised cell as one adapted to carry out a particular function.
- Identify the specialised feature of a named cell and link it to its function.
- Explain how specialised cells form tissues and organs in multicellular organisms.
Cell differentiation exam tips
Marking Points
- A specialised cell is one whose structure has been modified to carry out a particular function.
- Specialised cells arise from unspecialised cells through the process of differentiation.
- The specialised feature of a cell can be identified and linked to its function, such as a long nerve fibre carrying impulses.
- Specialised cells group together to form tissues, which build organs and organ systems.
- Most specialised cells have lost the ability to divide, unlike unspecialised stem cells.
Examiner Tips
- 💡When asked to identify a specialised cell, name it and immediately give one structural feature and its function.
- 💡Use comparative language such as 'more mitochondria than a typical cell' to show the adaptation clearly.
- 💡Practise matching a list of cells to their functions so you can recall examples quickly under time pressure.
Common Mistakes
- Calling any cell 'specialised' without naming the feature that suits its function; the correction is to state the structural adaptation and its benefit.
- Confusing specialised cells with stem cells; the correction is that stem cells are unspecialised and can still divide and differentiate.
- Describing a specialised cell's function without linking it to structure; the correction is to explain how the shape or contents enable the job.