A nerve cell and a root hair cell are both examples of specialised cells. Explain how the process of cell differentiation allows an organism to produce specialised cells, and why this is important for multicellular organisms.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
All cells in an organism originate from undifferentiated cells. Through a process called cell differentiation, these cells become specialised for specific functions. Nerve cells, for example, are long and can transmit electrical impulses, while root hair cells have a large surface area for absorbing water and minerals from the soil.
Model answer (5 marks)
Cell differentiation is the process by which undifferentiated stem cells become specialised cells.
Undifferentiated cells can give rise to many different cell types, so a single cell type can produce a variety of specialised cells.
During differentiation the cell’s structure changes to suit its function – for example, a nerve cell develops long axons to transmit electrical impulses, while a root hair cell develops a large surface area to absorb water and minerals.
Because cells are specialised, the organism can perform many tasks more efficiently.
Specialised cells allow multicellular organisms to divide labour, with different cells carrying out distinct functions, which is essential for complex life.
Undifferentiated cells can give rise to many different cell types, so a single cell type can produce a variety of specialised cells.
During differentiation the cell’s structure changes to suit its function – for example, a nerve cell develops long axons to transmit electrical impulses, while a root hair cell develops a large surface area to absorb water and minerals.
Because cells are specialised, the organism can perform many tasks more efficiently.
Specialised cells allow multicellular organisms to divide labour, with different cells carrying out distinct functions, which is essential for complex life.
Examiner tips
- Use the word ‘differentiation’ and link it to stem cells; give one example of a specialised structure; mention efficiency and division of labour; keep answer concise and use correct terminology.
Common mistakes
- Confusing differentiation with mitosis; not linking structure to function; writing too much general information instead of specific examples.
Mark scheme (5 marks)
- Cell differentiation is the production of specialised cells
- Undifferentiated cells (stem cells) can differentiate into a range of different cell types
- The specialised structure of a cell suits it for its specific function (correctly linked to either nerve cell or root hair cell)
- Cell differentiation allows organisms to become more efficient
- Specialised cells are important for multicellular organisms because different cells can perform different functions / there is division of labour
Key terms in this question
cell differentiation · multicellular organism · specialised cells
Related
- All OCR A-Level Biology B — Advancing Biology (H422) revision notes →
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- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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