Cells and their functions

Humans are multicellular. That means we are made of lots of cells, not just one cell. The cells in many multicellular animals and plants are specialised, so that they can share out the processes of life. They work together like a team to support the different processes in an organism.

Specialised cells

The diagrams show examples of some specialised animal cells. Notice that they look very different from one another.

The variety of human cell types: epithelial cells, leucocyte, liver cell, nerve cell, fat cell, cartilage cell, striated muscle fibre, human cell, bone cell and smooth muscle cell.A selection of specialised animal cells

The tables show examples of some specialised animal and plant cells, with their functions and special features:

Table comparing function and features of red blood cells, nerve cells, and female and male reproductive cells.Table comparing function and features of root hair cell and leaf cell