Shaped for the job
Each kind of cell has the shape that suits its work.
Not all cells look alike
A muscle cell is shaped like a spindle. A nerve cell is very long and has branches. Some cells are round, others long and thin.
Do you think a cell's shape has anything to do with the job it does?
What this lesson covers
The idea
Cells differ in shape, size and structure, and the unique shape, size and structure of each kind of cell help it carry out its specific function.
Not all cells look alike
A muscle cell is shaped like a spindle. A nerve cell is very long and has branches. Some cells are round, others long and thin.
Do you think a cell's shape has anything to do with the job it does?
- Yes, the shape helps it do its job
- No, the shape is just random
- Only the size matters
Which cell for which job?
Read each job. Tap the cell whose shape suits it. A right tap shows the cell's name.
Shape and job go together
Cells differ in shape, size and structure. The unique shape, size and structure of each kind of cell help it carry out its specific function.
- Cell | Shape | Job
- Nerve cell | Very long, with branches | Carries messages quickly to different parts of the body
- Muscle cell | Thin, flexible, spindle | Contracts and relaxes to push food along
- Inner cheek cell | Thin and flat | Forms a protective lining
- Plant tube cell | Long tube | Carries water through the plant
Notes
Cells differ in shape, size and structure. The unique shape, size and structure of each kind of cell help it carry out its specific function.
Check yourself
Why is a nerve cell long and branched?
Inner cheek cells are thin and flat. What job does that shape suit?
Which statement is right?
- So it can reach different parts of the body and pass on messages quickly — correct. Yes. Its elongated, branched shape suits carrying messages.
- So it can form a protective lining. That is the job of the thin, flat inner cheek cells.
- So it can carry water. Long tube-like cells in plants carry water, not nerve cells.
- Forming a protective lining on the inside of the cheek — correct. Yes. Thin, flat cells make a good lining.
- Pushing food down the food pipe. Thin, flexible, spindle-shaped muscle cells do that.
- Carrying messages. Long, branched nerve cells carry messages.
- The shape, size and structure of a cell help it do its specific function. — correct. Yes. Each kind of cell is shaped for its own job.
- All cells have the same shape.. Cells differ: spindle, long and branched, flat, round and more.
- A cell's shape has nothing to do with its job.. Shape and job go together.