Specialised plant cells

 

Root hair cells

Roots anchor plants and absorb water and minerals from the soil. Roots branch into smaller parts in the soil. The roots have root hair cells with tiny ‘hairs’ that stick into the soil. This makes the surface area bigger for the root hair cell to take in more water and minerals.

Palisade cells

Palisade cells are the main site of photosynthesis, which makes sugar for plants. Photosynthesis happens in chlorophyll, a chemical in chloroplasts. Palisade cells are adapted for photosynthesis by:

 

• Being near the tops of leaves for more light
• Having many chloroplasts

 

 

Xylem and phloem cells

 

• Xylem cells carry water from roots to other plant parts.
• Phloem cells carry sugary water from leaves to the rest of the plant.

 

Xylem

Xylem cells run inside stems of plants from their roots to their leaves. Xylem cells die and their ends break down, allowing them to carry water up for photosynthesis. They have thick walls to support the plant and hold up the leaves and flowers.

 

 

Phloem

Phloem cells are alive and near xylem cells in the stem. They transport sugary water from leaves to the rest of the plant. They have companion cells with many mitochondria that release energy for phloem transport.

 

 

🍃 Knowledge Check: Specialised Plant Cells

How well do you know your plant cell adaptations? Try these 5 questions!

1. Which adaptation allows a root hair cell to absorb more water?

• A thick cell wall made of lignin
• A large surface area provided by a long extension
• The presence of many chloroplasts

2. Where in the plant would you find palisade mesophyll cells?

• The very tip of the roots
• The upper part of a leaf
• Inside the flower petals

3. Xylem cells are 'specialised' because they are:

• Dead, hollow tubes strengthened with lignin
• Filled with cytoplasm to move sugar
• Designed to open and close stomata

4. What is the main function of 'Guard Cells'?

• To protect the plant from being eaten
• To control the opening and closing of stomata
• To absorb sunlight for photosynthesis

5. Which of these cells would NOT contain chloroplasts?

• Guard cell
• Palisade mesophyll cell
• Root hair cell

Click to Check Answers

1. Large surface area (More space for water to enter the cell).
2. Upper part of a leaf (To get the most sunlight).
3. Dead, hollow tubes (This allows water to flow through easily like a pipe).
4. Control stomata (They change shape to manage gas exchange and water loss).
5. Root hair cell (Roots are underground in the dark, so they don't need to photosynthesise!).

 

Summary:

 

• Cells are the basic unit of life.
• Specialised plant cells have specific components for their functions.
• Examples of specialised plant cells are root hair cells, palisade cells, xylem cells and phloem cells.