Biology - Specialized Cells & Hierarchy - Animals Flashcards
Why are these called specialized cells?
An organism with only 1 cell that performs all required functions in that one cell
Purpose of specialized cells
The body needs to supply food & nutrients, transport materials, remove wastes and fight infection
What is cellular differentiation? (3 key points)
- Process of creating specialized cells
- All cells in the body originated from the zygote undergoing mitosis
- As an embryo develops, cells change their shape, contents, & function
3 causes of specialization?
- Cytoplasm Differences
- Environmental Conditions
- Neighbouring Cells
Why do Cytoplasm differences cause specialization? (2 key points)
- Asymmetric distribution of organelles & other factors in zygote
- Results in different DAUGHTER CELLS
Why do Environmental Conditions cause specialization?
Variation in TEMPERATURE & NUTRIENTS
Why do Neighbouring Cells cause specialization?
Substances produced by nearby cells can diffuse to nearby cells
What do the 3 factors for specialization result in?
Expression of different genes within a cell
Abnormal development: What can affect cellular development?
2 examples
Chemical contamination of the environment
example:
1. fertilizer leaks into the pond
2. bug spray of grass
3 types of stem cells
- Embryonic
- Adult
- Induced Pluripotent (iPSC)
Function of stem cells
Cells that can differentiate into many different cell types
Stem Cells: What type of cells have the same DNA but different genes?
Daughter cells, but different genes may be turned ON or OFF
Function of Embryonic
Differentiates into ANY cell type
Function of adult cells
Exists in some TISSUES but can only form SPECIFIC types of cells
Adult stem cells: What do bone narrow stem cells form?
White blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets
Adult stem cells: What do neural stem cells form?
Nerve cells
Adult stem cells: What do Mesenchymal stem cells do?
Give rise to bone cells, cartilage cells, fat cells, and connective tissue cells
Adult stem cells: What do Induced Pluripotent (iPSC) do?
(2 key points)
- Stem cells created from adult cells, and can differentiate into any cell type
- DO NOT require destruction of the embryo, but have drawbacks, such as low efficiency, mutations, and tumours
What are tissues?
A collection of similar cells that perform specific functions
What 4 types of tissues do animals have?
- Epithelial (skin)
- Muscular (skeletal)
- Connective (bones / blood)
- Nervous (Nerves)
Function of epithelial tissue (2 key points)
- Line the INTERNAL & EXTERNAL surfaces of body
- Form a barrier by connecting ADJOINING cell membranes
Function of muscular tissue
Move the body/organ by contracting and relaxing
Function of connective tissue (2 key points)
- Strengthens, supports, and protects other tissues
- cells are in an extracellular matrix
Function of nervous tissue (2 key points)
- Made of neurones (nerve cells) with long projection that send & receive signals
- Coordinates body actions
Order of the hierarchy structure (5 stages)
specialized cells -> tissues -> organs -> organ systems -> organisms
Why can’t specialized animal cells not survive on their own?
Because they live and work as part of a larger group of cells called tissues
Advantage of specialized cell
optimize efficiency by performing specific tasks effectively, enhancing overall organismal function and adaptation.
Disadvantage of specialized cell
dependency on specialized cells increases proneness to dysfunction if these cells are compromised, potentially impairing vital functions crucial for survival.
