B2.1.6 - Stem Cells Flashcards
What are stem cells?
Undifferentiated cells
How do they divide?
They divide by mitosis, forming cells which then differentiate and become specialised.
What can stem cells do?
Develop into any kind of specialised cell and therefore form types of tissues and organs
When are stem cells used by the body?
Stem cells are primarily used by the body during development, growth and repair
What are the main types of stem cells?
Embryonic and adult
What are embryonic stem cells?
They are stem cells found in embryos.
What do embryonic stem cells do?
They divide by mitosis to produce all the cells needed to make an organism. Embryonic stem cells have the ability to differentiate into all body types
What are adult stem cells?
Stem cells found in various body tissues such as the brain, bone marrow, skin and liver. They are able to differentiate into some types of cell, but not into as many types as embryonic stem cells
What happens when an animal is fully grown?
Many of the adult stem cells remain in a non-dividing state for years.
What do adult stem cells act as?
They act as a repair mechanism for the body
Where are stem cells found in plants?
In plant meristems
What are meristems?
The parts of plants that grow throughout their lives
What do meristems look like?
They look very different it normal plant cells. They are small compared to other plant cells, they have very thin walls, small vacuoles and no chloroplasts
Why can’t differentiated plant cells divide?
Their cell walls are thick and rigid
