1.4 Cellular Differentiation

Question 1

Definition of cellular differentiation

Answer 1

Cellular differentiation is the process by which a cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins characteristic for that type of cell. This allows a cell to carry out specialised functions.

Question 2

Give an example of a gene which will be switched on in each of these cells:
 – Red blood cell
– Lymphocyte
– Pancreatic cell
– Salivary gland cell

Answer 2

haemoglobin
antibodies
insulin
amylase

Question 3

State the two regions that apical meristems are found

Answer 3

Tips of the shoot and root

Question 4

Lateral meristems are responsible for which type of growth?

Answer 4

Secondary growth i.e. an increase in girth

Question 5

State the order of the processes that must occur for a cell to become Differentiated

Answer 5

mitosis and cell division, elongation and vacuolation, differentiation

Question 6

Define therapeutic uses of stem cells

Answer 6

Therapeutic uses involve the repair of damaged or diseased organs or tissues.

Question 7

Define uses of stem cell research

Answer 7

Research uses involve stem cells being used as model cells to study how diseases develop or being used for drug testing.

Question 8

What are stem cells?

Answer 8

Unspecialised cells in animals that can divide (self-renew) and / or differentiate

Question 9

What does it mean when we say a cell has been differentiated?

Answer 9

The cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins characteristic for that type of cell and so performs a specialised function

Question 10

what is the porpose of adult stem cells?

Answer 10

Growth, repair and renewal of the cells found in that tissue

Question 11

Therapeutic or research uses;

Studying how cells differentiate and grow

Answer 11

Research

Question 12

Therapeutic or research uses;

Bone marrow transplant

Answer 12

Therapeutic

Question 13

Therapeutic or research uses;

Replacing damaged nerve tissue in the spinal cord

Answer 13

Therapeutic

Question 14

Therapeutic or research uses;

Producing skin for skin grafts

Answer 14

Therapeutic

Question 15

Therapeutic or research uses;

Researching the development of Parkinson’s disease

Answer 15

Research

Question 16

Therapeutic or research uses;

Studying gene regulation

Answer 16

Research

Question 17

List the ethical issues when it comes to the research and use of stem cells

Answer 17

Involes the destruction of embryos
Cost - should the miney be used for other treatments

stem cells are still experimental