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Question 1

What is cell differentiation?

Answer 1

Cell differentiation is the process by which a cell expresses certain genes to produce the proteins characteristic for that type of cell

Question 2

Why are specialised cells unique?

Answer 2

This allows the cell to carry out specialised functions

Question 3

What are meristems and what do they do?

Answer 3

What are meristems and what do they do?
Meristems are regions of unspecialised cells in plants that can divide (self-renew) and/or differentiate into specialised cells

Question 4

What are the two types of stem cells?

Answer 4

Embryonic stem cells and tissue (adult) stem cells are unspecialised cells in animals that can divide (self-renew) and/or differentiate into specialised cells

Question 5

What are key features of embryonic stem cells?

Answer 5

• Embryonic stem cells in the very early embryo can differentiate into all the cell types that make up the organism and so they are pluripotent
• All the genes in the embryonic stem cells can be switched on so these cells can differentiate into any type of cell

Question 6

What are key features of tissue (adult) stem cells?

Answer 6

Tissue stem cells are involved in growth, repair and renewal of the cells found in the tissue. They are multipoint

Tissue stem are multipoint as they can differentiate into all the types of cell found in a particular tissue.

For example, blood stem cells located in the bone marrow can give rise to all types of blood cell

Question 7

What are some therapeutic uses of stem cells?

Answer 7

• repair of damaged or diseased organs or tissues

- examples are corneal repair and the regeneration of damaged skin

Question 8

Why are stem cells used in biological research?

Answer 8

Embryonic stem cells are used in research since they can self-renew under right special growth conditions, in the lab

Question 9

What are some of the ethical concerns with using stem cells?

Answer 9

The ethical issues of using embryonic stem cells. These cells can offer effective treatments for disease and injury; however, it involves the destruction of embryos

Question 10

Why does cell differentiation occur in multi-cellular organisms?

Answer 10

-multi-cellular organisms have a large number of cell types and different cell types are specialised for specific roles

Question 11

Biological research areas with stem cells

Answer 11

• biological research uses involve stem cells being used as model cells to investigate processes rather than using animals
• stem cell biological research provides information on how cell processes such as cell growth, differentiation and gene regulation work
• Research uses involve stem cells being used as model cells to study how diseases develop or being used for drug testing.

Question 12

How long are embryonic stem cells found in the embryo?

Answer 12

5-7 days