Specialised cells, unspecialised cells and differentiation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe examples of specialised cells in humans and plants, and explain how unspecialised cells become specialised.
Key learning points
- Most cells in multicellular organisms are specialised – they have structures that are adapted for the jobs the cells.
- Multicellular organisms grow (make new cells by mitosis) and develop (make specialised cells to form tissues/organs).
- Unspecialised cells become specialised through a process called differentiation.
- During differentiation, particular genes in the cell’s genome are switched off or on.
- Specialised cells only use particular genes, so only make the proteins needed for the job they are adapted to do.
Keywords
Multicellular - Animal, plants and fungi made of more than one cell.
Specialised cell - Cells with adaptations to carry out a particular function in a multicellular organism.
Unspecialised cell - Cell with no specific function, but has the capability to turn into different types of cells.
Differentiation - The process of an unspecialised cell becoming a specialised one through the mechanism of turning genes on and off.
Gene - A short section of DNA that carries the genetic code to produce a protein.
Common misconception
Only animals are multicellular; that specialised cells are individual; all DNA in a cell is the same so will produce the same proteins.
Examples of multicellular plants, with specialised cells, tissues and organs provided; show images of cells as tissues rather than just individual. All cells have the same DNA, but it is whether the genes are turned on that makes them specialise.
Teacher tip
Focus on the role of the genes in coding for proteins that causes the difference between cells of the same organism. Link this back to their understanding of the role of genes and gene expression.
Equipment
None required.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.DNA is an organism's material.
Q2.How is DNA stored in plant and animal cells?
Q3.Which of these organisms are multicellular?
Q4.Put these in order of size starting with the smallest.
Q5.What is the process by which cells divide to produce identical cells?
Q6.What is a gene?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? Most cells are adapted to their function.
Q2.What is the name of the process by which unspecialised cells become specialised?
Q3.Match the cell to its specialised feature.
Stores nutrients for cell growth.
Lots of mitochondria to provide energy for movement.
Lots of mitochondria to provide energy for contraction.
Folded membrane to increase surface area for absorption.
Gaps in the cell wall to allow sugars to be transported.
Waxy layer for protection.
Q4.True or false? If a protein is not needed by a cell then the gene that codes for it can be turned off.
Q5.How do multicellular organisms grow and develop?
Q6.Put the level of organisation in the correct order starting with the smallest.
To help you plan your 10 combined science lesson on: Specialised cells, unspecialised cells and differentiation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 combined science lesson on: Specialised cells, unspecialised cells and differentiation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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