1.1 Division And Differenetiation Of Human Cells

Question 1

What is cellular differentiation?

Answer 1

Cellular differentiation is when an unspecialised cell becomes altered and adapted to perform a specialised function.

Question 2

What are stem cells?

Answer 2

Stem cells are unspecialised cells that can continue to divide and can differentiate into specialised cells of one or more types.

Question 3

What are the two types of stem cells?

Answer 3

Tissue(adult) stem cells and embryonic stem cells.

Question 4

What is the function of tissue (adult) stem cells?

Answer 4

To give rise to a limited range of cell types and to replenish differentiated cells that need replaced.

Question 5

What kind of cells can tissue (adult) stem cells differentiate into?

Answer 5

Red blood cells, platelets, phagocytes and lymphocytes.

Question 6

What are embryonic stem cells?

Answer 6

Embryonic stem cells are stem cells which are from embryos that can divide and become any type of cell.

Question 7

What is the meaning of the word diploid?

Answer 7

Diploid means that the cells to gain two sets of chromosomes - one from the mother and one from the father.

Question 8

What is the meaning of the word haploid?

Answer 8

The word haploid refers to a call that has one set of chromosomes (gametes).

Question 10

What is a somatic cell?

Answer 10

A somatic cell is a body cell that divides by mitosis to form more somatic (body) cells, which can differentiate to form different body tissue types.

Question 11

What are the 4 body tissue types that somatic cells can differentiate into?

Answer 11

Muscle, nerve, epithelial and connective tissues.

Question 12

Can mutations in somatic cells passed to offspring?

Answer 12

Mutations in somatic cells can not pass on to offspring.

Question 13

Can mutations in germline cells pass on to offspring?

Answer 13

Yes, mutations in germline cells can pass on to offspring.

Question 14

What are some examples of therapeutic uses stem cells?

Answer 14

Skin grafts, repair of damaged tissues or organs.

Question 15

In research, what can stem cells be used for?

Answer 15

Stem cells can be used as model cells to study how diseases develop or for drug testing.

Question 16

What is a cancer cell?

Answer 16

Cancer cells are abnormal cells that do not respond to regulatory signals in the body and therefore avoid being destroyed by the immune system.

Question 17

How is a tumour formed?

Answer 17

A tumour is formed when cancer cells divide excessively to produce a mass of abnormal cells.

Question 18

How is a secondary tumour formed?

Answer 18

A secondary tumour is formed when cancer cells break off/ fail to attach to each other, and spread around the body in the bloodstream.

Question 19

What are germline cells?

Answer 19

Germline cells are cells that can divide by mitosis to produce more germline cells or by meiosis to produce haploid gametes.