Specialised Plant Cells

Specialised Plant Cells

Year 8

Specialised Plant Cells

• Plant cells also have specialised cells in different shapes and sizes, but not as many as animal cells.

Stomata and guard cells

• Stomata are tiny holes on the underneath of leaves. They allow water vapour to leave the leaf. Guard cells surround each stomata and allow the stoma to open and close. Stomata close during hotter days to prevent water loss and most plants open their stomata at night.

Stomata and guard cells

• Loss of water vapour through the stomata is called transpiration.

• Gases also enter and leave the leaf via the stomata.

Xylem cells

• Are like straws that carry water and minerals up from the roots to all parts of the plant.

• The cells are a dead ‘one-way’ street.

  They are long thin tubes with strong walls which help support the plant

Phloem cells

• Phloem cells are thin-walled tubes that carry food to all parts of the plant

• The food is in the form of sugar (glucose or sucrose) and is made in the leaves.

• These cells are living and are like a two-way highway.

Root Hair Cells

• Root hair cells are found on the roots of plants. They are small hairs which increase the surface area and assist in absorbing water and dissolved minerals from the soil. 

Open Ended

What is the purpose of root hair cells?

Open Ended

Name 3 types of cell found in plants

Multiple Choice

Cells that control the entering and exit of gases into the leaves

• Xylem Cells

• Stomata Cells

• Guard cell

• Phloem Cells

Open Ended

Explain how water gets from the roots of the plant to the top of the plant

Multiple Choice

Cells that control the entering and exit of gases into the leaves

• Xylem Cells

• Stomata Cells

• Guard cell

• Phloem Cells