CAIE IGCSE Biology 2.1.6 Specialised Cells & Functions
Practise identifying specialised cells and linking their structures to transport, absorption, photosynthesis or communication.
- Syllabus
- 2026–2028
- Course
- Biology 0610
Practise identifying specialised cells and linking their structures to transport, absorption, photosynthesis or communication.
Fig. 3.1 shows a drawing of a root hair cell and Fig. 3.2 shows a drawing of a palisade cell.

Fig. 3.1

Fig. 3.2
Explain the reasons for the difference in the numbers of mitochondria and chloroplasts between the root hair cell and the palisade cell, shown in Fig. 3.1 and Fig. 3.2.
mitochondria
chloroplasts
total of five from:
mitochondria to max 4:
1 more in root hair cell / ORA ;
2 (site of) aerobic respiration ;
3 to, release / provide, energy ;
4 for active, transport / uptake, of, minerals / ions / named ion(s) ;
5 up/against, a concentration gradient ;
chloroplasts to max 4:
6 in palisade only / none in root hair cell ;
7 no light reaches root hair cells / cells are underground or in soil ; ora
8 (site of) photosynthesis ;
9 contain chlorophyll ;
10 transfers / changes, energy from light to, energy in chemicals / ATP ;
11 to synthesise, glucose / carbohydrate ;
MP5 A low to high concentration