1.4 Cellular Differentiation

Question 1

Cellular differentiation

Answer 1

Process where a cell expresses certain genes to produce a proteins characteristic for that type of cell

Allows a cell to carry out specialised functions

Question 2

Plant cells

Answer 2

Meristems are regions of unspecialised cells that can divide (self-renew) and differentiate

Question 3

Animal cells

Answer 3

Stem cells are regions of unspecialised cells that can divide (self-renew) and differentiate

Question 4

Embryonic stem cells

Answer 4

From early stages of embryonic development

Cells in embryo can differentiate into any other types of cells and are pluripotent

Question 5

Tissue stem cells

Answer 5

Found in tissues throughout body

Cells involved in growth, repair and renewal of cells can differentiate into a particular tissue type and are multipotent

Question 6

Therapeutic use of stem cells

Answer 6

Used to repair damaged or diseased organs and tissues eg. corneal repair and regeneration of damaged skin

Question 7

Research use of stem cells

Answer 7

Used as model cells to study how diseases develop or used for drug testing

Stem cells can self-renew which can show how cell processes work

Question 8

Ethical issues of stem cells

Answer 8

Embryonic stem cells can offer treatment for disease and injury, but involves destroying an embryo