A Level Biology Practice Exam

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What does the term "specialised" refer to in biology?

Having a broad range of structures
Being undifferentiated
Having a particular structure to serve a specific function
Being a generalist organism

The correct answer is: Having a particular structure to serve a specific function

The term "specialised" in biology refers to having a particular structure that serves a specific function. This concept is fundamental in understanding how different cells, tissues, and organs have evolved unique forms and capabilities to perform designated tasks efficiently. For example, red blood cells are specialised for oxygen transport due to their unique biconcave shape and lack of nucleus, which maximizes space for hemoglobin. Other options, such as having a broad range of structures, imply versatility and generalist traits rather than specialization. Being undifferentiated refers to cells that have not yet developed distinct structures or functions, such as stem cells, which contrasts with specialization. Lastly, a generalist organism typically has a wide range of adaptations to thrive in various environments, emphasizing flexibility over a focused specialization. Thus, the correct interpretation of "specialised" aligns with option C.