Friday, April 2, 2010

Specialised Cells Research- RootHair Cell








Picture Source :http://www.dr-sanderson.org/specialisedcells.htm

A.
What are the organelles found in the cell?

They have a nucleus, vacuole, cytoplasm and cell wall.
B.
List the structural features of the cell.

The root hair cell has a large surface area but is a delicate structure which can live up to 2 to 3 weeks. New root hair cells are formed at the top of the root to enable root hair coverage to be same. Root hair cells varies in length and diameter, from 5 - 17 micrometers in diameter and from 80 to 1500 micrometers in length. The root hair cells enable water to be absorbed by the plant through a thin root-like structure protruding out of the cell.

C.
What are the functions of these organelles?
The nucleus contains chromatin material, consisting of the DNA of the cell which is important inherited by the daughter cells. The cell wall is a strong surface, surrounding the plasma membrane, which protects the cell and give Iit its shape. It also prevents too much expansion when water enters the cell. The plasma membrane controls the movement of substance into and out of the cell and is used for cell identification. The vacuole helps in isolating materials that pose as a threat to the cell and also helps in exporting waste products from the cell. The cytoplasm consists of cytosol and the cellular organelles, except the nucleus. The cytosol is made up of water, salts and organic molecules and many enzymes that speed up reactions. It is important as it suspends the cell organelles within it.
D.
Why are these functions of the organelles important to the living cell?
Even if one of the organelles is missing then the root-cell will not be able to function anymore.
Source:
Information gathered from: http://www.blurtit.com/q777326.html ; http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_function_of_a_cell_wall ; http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_function_of_a_plasma_membrane ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuole

Group :
Ng Kok Yin
Wee Renchang
Ethan Soh
Zach
Tan Jing Heng

18 comments:

  1. I did not know that the root hair cell can only live from 2-3 weeks only.

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  2. The size of root hair cells are a lot smaller than I expected.

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  3. It is appalling to see that the root hair cell have such a unique structure. This way it allows the plant to absorb more water.

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  4. I did not know that new hair cells are formed at the top of the root for it to have the same hair coverage.

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  5. The root hair cells live longer than what I thought of at first.

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  6. i did not know the root hair cell had such a short lifespan

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  7. I did not know that the root hair cell cannot function as long as one organelle is missing. I didn't know it had such a short lifespan too.

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  8. From their information I knew more about the cytosol which is made up of water, salts and organic molecules and many enzymes that speed up reactions.

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  10. I did not know that the vacuole could actually help protect the root hair cell and i thought all cells of the same type has the same size.

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  11. I did not even know that the root hair cell has other functions instead of just absorbing water

    ONG BING JUE

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  12. I now know the life span of a root hair cell and that they can not just absorb water only

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  13. I did not know that the root hair cell could only live up to 2 to 3 weeks.
    Clarabelle(:

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  14. I did not know that the root hair cell had such a short lifespan

    daniel

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  15. I did not know the root hair cell is so small, and can only live for 2-3 weeks.

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  16. i learnt more about the root hair cell functions like consisting of the DNA of the cell which is important inherited by the daughter cells.I too did'nt know before that the root hair cell have a short lifespan

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  17. I thought there was chloroplasts now I know the truth. I also don't know that they have such a short life span of up to 3 weeks!

    Wenkai :)

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