B2.3 Cell specialization

Question 2

Outline the importance of morphogens in the development of organisms pg 256-257

Question 3

Distinguish betwen totipotent, pluripotent, multipotetent ad unipotent

Question 4

List the differences between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells

Answer 4

Undifferentiated embryonic cells capable of continual cell division and developing into all the cell types of an adult organism. However, adult stem cells that are undifferentiated are only capable of cell division to give rise to a limited range of cells within a tissue, for eg: blood stem cells give rise to red and white blood cells and platelets only.

Embryonic stem cells make up the bulk of the embryo as it begins development. However, adult stem cells occur only in the growing and adult body, within most organs; they replace dead or damaged cells, such as in bone marrow, brain and liver