1.4 Flashcards
Cellular differentiation is
The process by which a cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins that are characteristic for that type of cell
Cellular differentiation allows cells to
Carry out specialised functions
Every cell in the body has all the genes necessary for
Constructing the whole organism
Genes can be switched
Off
Genes are switched off so
A cell does not produce the protein that the gene codes for
Example of genes being switched off
Insulin produced in the pancreas only not in brain or heart cells
Meristems are
Regions of unspecialised cells in plants
Meristems can
- Self renew through cell division
- Differentiate
Stem cells are
Unspecialised cells in animals
Stem cells can
- Self renew through cell division
- Differentiate into specialised cells
Embryonic stems cells are
Cells in the very early embryo
Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into
All the cell types that make up an organism
Why can embryonic stem cells differentiate into all cell types
All their genes can be switched on
Embryonic stem cells are known as
Pluripotent
Tissue stem cells are involved in
Growth, repair, and renewal of the cells found in the body tissues
Tissue stem cells can differentiate into
All of the types of cell found in a particular tissue type
Tissue stem cells are known as
Multipotent
Example of tissue stem cells
Blood stem cells in bone marrow only differentiate into all types of blood cells
Research uses of stem cells are
- Model cells to study how diseases develop or in drug testing
- Cell processes such as cell growth, differentiation and gene regulation
Therapeutic uses involve
The repair of damaged or diseased organs
Therapeutic uses are
- Repair of cornea in the eye
- Regenerating damaged skin
Ethical considerations
Embryonic stem cells can self renew under the right conditions in a lab, meaning they can offer effective treatment for disease and injury, but it involves the destruction of embryos
