What makes cells different?

Imagine this…

You’re building a bookshelf for your home office. You cut the wood, sand it, join the pieces together and mount it on a wall. Now imagine you only have 1 tool to complete the job – a hammer

So what do you do?

To build a bookshelf successfully, you need tools that are specialized for the different tasks you must complete!

As your task becomes more complex (ie building a shed), the tools required become more specialized

Similarly…

In this sense, organisms have a lot in common with construction jobs – as the task increases in complexity, more specialized tools (cells) are required to perform the various functions

Single cell vs. Multicellular Organisms

Cell Specialization & Differentiation…

Cell Specialization: Different types of cells have unique structures and

abilities which enable them to perform their functions efficiently

Cell Differentiation: Series of events through which stem cells develop

into specialized cells VIDEO CLIP! http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/tdc02_vid_diffe

rent/

Cell Specialization & Differentiation…

Specialized cells have different structures that allow them to perform unique functions

There are over 200 different types of cells in the human body

Specialized Cells and Their Function in the Human Body

Cell Type

Structure and Function

Sperm Long whip-like tail which propels the cell through the extracellular fluids towards the egg, or OvumPointed head allows it to fertilize the Ovum

Bone Framework of hard material, containing minerals that provide strength, protection and support

Nerve Long, thread-like branches enable cells to receive and transmit signals from other cells throughout the body

Muscle Long, thin structure allows cells to change size drastically during contractionSome have a branching pattern which increases muscle strengthHigh mitochondria concentration supplies cells with energy required to contract

Blood Doughnut-like shape provides large surface area to carry oxygen throughout the body

What if…

Review the previous slide and consider if you did not have that specific cell type in your body. As you look at yourself in the mirror,1.Would you look like yourself or would you like a completely different organism2.Do you think you could survive without this type of cell?

Exit Ticket…

1. Why do you think multicellular organisms have specialized cells?

2. Why do different specialized cells have different structures?

3. Do you think a spider would have the same types of specialized cells as a lion? What about a fish and a bird?