Cell differentiation and specialised cellsSpec 2.5B
In short
Differentiation is the process by which a cell becomes specialised for a particular job by gaining the structures it needs. For example, a root hair cell has a long projection giving a large surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions, and a nerve cell has a long axon that carries electrical impulses over long distances.
Differentiation is the process by which a cell becomes specialised for a particular job. The cell gains the structures it needs to carry out its function. For example, a nerve cell has a long axon, and a root hair cell has a long projection that gives it a large surface area.
Differentiation is important in the development of specialised cells because a multicellular organism needs many different cell types doing different jobs. Specialised cells form tissues, which make up organs. Each type of specialised cell can then carry out its job efficiently.
| Cell | Special feature | How it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Root hair cell | Long projection from the cell | Large surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions |
| Nerve cell | Long axon | Carries electrical impulses over long distances |
| Red blood cell | No nucleus, and full of haemoglobin | No nucleus leaves more room for haemoglobin, which carries oxygen |
| Palisade mesophyll cell | Many chloroplasts | Absorbs a lot of light for photosynthesis |
Link structure to function. 'The cell has become specialised' earns less than saying what structure it gained and what job that structure helps with.
Written and checked against the Edexcel IGCSE Biology (4BI1) specification · Updated October 2026