Question

A. State an adaptation of a red blood cell and why it is good.

b. State an adaptation of an epithelial cell and why it is good.
c. State an adaptation of a sperm cell and why it is good.
d. State an adaptation of an egg cell and why it is good.

Answer 1

Red blood cells, epithelial cells, sperm cells, and egg cells are all specialized to perform their specific roles efficiently, through adaptations such as the biconcave shape of red blood cells for oxygen transport, the flat shape of epithelial cells for optimal diffusion, the mobility provided by sperm cell tails, and the nutrient reserve of the large egg cell.

Step-by-step explanation:

Each type of cell in the human body is adapted to its specific function:

• Red blood cells are biconcave, which increases their surface area for oxygen absorption and makes them flexible enough to navigate through narrow blood vessels. They lack a nucleus, which gives more space for hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule.
• Epithelial cells often have a flat shape, facilitating the diffusion of nutrients and gases across their membranes. This adaptation is especially useful in layers of the body where absorption and filtration occur.
• Sperm cells are equipped with a tail, or flagellum, for mobility. This ensures that they can swim towards and reach an egg during fertilization.
• The large size of an egg cell (ovum) serves as a nutrient reserve, which is crucial for supporting the early stages of embryonic development after fertilization.