4.1.1.4 Cell Differentiation

Question 1

What happens to cells after fertilisation?

Answer 1

• After fertilisation all of the cells are identical for the first few days and then they start to specialise to carry out a particular function

Question 2

When do most types of animal cells differentiate?

Answer 2

at an early stage

Question 3

When do most types of plant cell differentiate?

Answer 3

most types of plant cells retain the ability to differentiate throughout their lives

Question 4

Specialised:

Answer 4

when cells or tissues become adapted to carry out their specific function

Question 5

What happens when cells have specialised?

Answer 5

when cells have specialised they have undergone differentiation

Question 6

Differentiation:

Answer 6

when cells gain certain features needed for their function (they become specialised)

Question 7

In mature animals what is cell division mainly restricted to?

Answer 7

Repair and replacement

Question 8

As a cell differentiates what does it acquire?

Answer 8

• Different sub-cellular structures to enable it to carry out a certain function
• It has become a specialised cell

Question 9

Pluripotent:

Answer 9

The ability of a cell to differentiate into all the different types of cells in the body

Question 10

Diagram showing differentiation and self-renewal of stem cells:

Answer 10