Cell division Flashcards
Recall that the nucleus of a cell contains chromosomes made of DNA molecules. Each chromosome carries a large number of genes. In body cells the chromosomes are normally found in pairs
in nucleus, 23 pairs of x and y chromosomes that each have lots of DNA strands control the body. The duplicate and split during mitosis.
Give an overview of mitosis
Where in eukaryotic cells, all cell features duplicate and the cell grows. in the nucleus, the chromosomes duplicate and form arms of the same chromosome. Then, spindles pull apart the chromomes into two separate sides, and the cells begins to divide. All the duplicate organelles, such as mitochondria and ribosomes, split apart and two new, exactly identical, daughter cells are formed.
Understand that Cell division by mitosis is important in the growth and development of multicellular organisms
Cells need to divide so that organisms can grow and repair broken parts. Mitosis and cell replication is needed for this. In all organisms, mitosis happens a lot, but happens in the most in fast growing organisms, such as babies and children
Define a stem cell
The basic building block of a cell that can develop into many, if not all, types of cells in an organism. In embryos, they are used to form every part of the body, and adults humans have a similar type. They are yet specialized and so therefore can be used to form many different parts of the body. Valued by health practitioners for their ability to heal and fix many different health problems and conditions.
Recall that stem cells from human embryos and adult bone marrow can be cloned and made to differentiate into many different types of human cells
They are yet to be specialized to complete a certain role so can become many different cells. Examples are in bone marrow where adult stem cells can be used to create lots of blood cells
Name some conditions which may be helped by treatment with stem cells
Burns could be fixed with skin stem cell treatments and skin grafts, and blindness could be cured by using embryonic stem cells to repair the eyes.
Organ failures
Blood conditions
Discuss the ethical or religious objections and potential risk of stem cell use
There is opposition to using embryonic stem cells as harvesting them requires preventing the development of embryos into humans. Similar argument to abortion: embryos can be considered human lives, and collecting stem cells is ending those lives.
Recall that stem cells from meristems in plants can be used to produce clones of plants quickly and economically and describe possible uses
Stem cells in plants can be found in meristems, where growth occurs in plants. These stem cells can, like embryonic stem cells, grow into any part of the plant. This means they can be used by humans for benefits:
- To create copies of rare or nearly extinct plant species
- To develop species that have desired features, such as disease resistance
- To very easily and very quickly produce copies of crops for agriculture use
