B2.3 Cell Specialization

Question 1

What is a zygote?

Answer 1

A cell produced by the fusion of the nuclei of gametes

Question 2

What is the cell cycle?

Answer 2

A repeating process of an orderly sequence of events where cells arise by the division of existing cells, grow, and then divide

Question 3

What is an embryo?

Answer 3

An organism in the earliest stages of growth, when its basic structures are being formed

Question 4

What is a morphogen?

Answer 4

A molecule present in a concentration gradient that specifies the fate of each cell along the gradient

Question 5

What are the functions of morphogens?

Answer 5

The gradient of the morphogen drives the differentiation of unspecialized stem cells into different cell types; controls initiation & inhibition of gene expression

Question 6

What is differentiation?

Answer 6

The process by which cells become specialized, when particular genes are expressed in genomes

Question 7

What are the adaptations of mitochondria?

Answer 7

Inward foldings ‘cristae’ - create large surface area for reactions to occur

Small inter-membrane space - allows a difference in proton concentration to accumulate

Fluid matrix - contains enzymes and stabilized pH solution