B2.1.6 - Stem Cells Flashcards
Are stem cells differentiated?
No
What can stem cells divide by?
Mitosis
Why can stem cells develop into any type of specialised cell?
At first it doesn’t differentiate, but the cells that are made from mitosis do differentiate
What are the two main types of stem cell?
Embryonic and stem cells
Where are embryonic stem cells found?
Inside embryos
What types of cells can embryonic stem cells divide into?
All kinds
What do embryonic stem cells do?
They divide by mitosis to produce all the cells needed to make an organism
Where are adult stem cells found?
In various body tissues
What cells can adult stem cells differentiate into?
Lots of kinds, but not as many as embryonic stem cells
What happens to stem cells once an animal is fully grown?
It stops dividing
When would a stem cell still divide if an animal was fully grown?
If it was activated by a disease and had to repair damage
Where are stem cells found in plants?
In plant meristems
Why can differentiated plant cells not divide?
Their cell walls are tough and rigid
Where are meristems on a plant?
On the stem, or on the tip of a root
Describe the appearance of plant stem cells.
They look very different compared to other plant cells. They are small compared to other plant cells, they have very thin walls, small vacuoles, and no chloroplasts.
