1.1 Division and Differentiation

Question 1

cancer cell

Answer 1

cell that grows and divides in an unregulated way to produce a tumour

Question 2

differentiation

Answer 2

changes to cells that allow them to specialise for different functions

Question 3

diploid

Answer 3

refers to a cell having two matching sets of chromosomes

Question 4

embryonic stem cells

Answer 4

stem cells from embryos that can divide and become any type of cell

Question 5

ethical issue

Answer 5

issue affecting human attitudes and decisions regarding various choices

Question 6

germline cell

Answer 6

cell that can give rise to gametes

Question 7

haploid

Answer 7

describes a cell having one set of chromosomes

Question 8

homologous chromosomes

Answer 8

matching chromosomes in a diploid cell; each member of a homologous pair has the same genes but may have different alleles

Question 9

lymphocyte

Answer 9

type of white blood cell involved in a specific immune response

Question 10

meiosis

Answer 10

type of cell division resulting in four haploid gametes

Question 11

mitosis

Answer 11

division of the nucleus of somatic or germline cells, giving two diploid daughter cells

Question 12

multipotent stem cell

Answer 12

stem cell that has the potential to make almost all cell types found within a particular tissue

Question 13

phagocyte

Answer 13

white blood cell that can surround, engulf and digest foreign material and pathogens

Question 14

pluripotent stem cell

Answer 14

stem cell that has the potential to make almost all cell types found within a particular tissue

Question 15

red blood cell

Answer 15

blood cell containing haemoglobin, which can carry oxygen in the bloodstream

Question 16

regulatory signal

Answer 16

molecular signal that can be received by a cell to modify its activity

Question 17

secondary tumour

Answer 17

cancer formed from cells transported from a primary tumour

Question 18

somatic cell

Answer 18

body cell that divides by mitosis to form more body cells

Question 19

stem cell

Answer 19

unspecialised cell that can divide and then differentiate

Question 20

therapeutic

Answer 20

used as part of a medical therapy

Question 21

tissue stem cells

Answer 21

stem cells from tissue that divide and differentiate to become cells of that tissue

Question 22

tumour

Answer 22

collection of cancer cells produced by excessive uncontrolled cell division