Cell Specialisation & Differentiation

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GCSE Biology AQA · Jan 2026Cell Differentiation & Specialisation

Key facts

Sperm cell: tail for movement, many mitochondria for energy, acrosome to digest egg membrane, streamlined head
Egg cell (ovum): large with food store (cytoplasm), zona pellucida prevents multiple fertilisation
Red blood cell: no nucleus (more room for haemoglobin), biconcave disc shape (large surface area), flexible to squeeze through capillaries
Nerve cell (neuron): long axon to carry impulses far, myelin sheath for speed, many dendrites for connections
Ciliated epithelial cell: cilia to sweep mucus, many mitochondria for movement energy

Root hair cell: long extension increases surface area for water/mineral absorption, no chloroplasts (underground), large vacuole
Xylem cell: dead cells, no cytoplasm, lignified walls for strength, hollow for water flow
Phloem cell: sieve plates at end walls for sugar flow, companion cells provide energy
Guard cell: controls stomata opening/closing, kidney-shaped, contains chloroplasts

All cells in an organism have the same DNA — they came from one fertilised egg
Differentiation is when a cell changes to become specialised for a particular function
During differentiation, most genes are switched off — only the genes needed for that cell type are expressed
In animals, differentiation mostly happens early in development. In plants, it can happen throughout life (meristem cells remain unspecialised)

Exam questions — 4 questions · 14 marks total

1 markDifferentiationAQA 8461 style

What does differentiation mean?

A All cells dividing by mitosis

B A cell becoming specialised to carry out a specific function

C A cell losing its DNA

D A cell growing larger

1 markRed blood cellsAQA Jun 2023 style

Why do red blood cells have no nucleus?

A To make them smaller so they fit in capillaries

B To allow more space for haemoglobin to carry oxygen

C To prevent them dividing by mitosis

D To make the cell membrane thinner

4 marksSperm cell adaptationAQA 8461 style

Explain how the structure of a sperm cell is adapted for its function. Give four adaptations. (4 marks)

Hint: Name the structure, then say what it does and why that helps fertilisation.

+40 XP

4 marksRoot hair cellAQA 8461 style

Describe how root hair cells are adapted to absorb water and mineral ions efficiently. (4 marks)

Hint: Think about the shape, what is present, what is absent and why.

+40 XP