Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation Flashcards
What are stem cells
Cells that are undifferentiated and have the potential to become specialised or differentiated. They are not adapted for any particular function, but are able to undergo cell division multiple times.
Why must division of cells take place?
- Cell growth
- Cell development
- Tissue repair
Why is the activity of stem cells strictly controlled?
Rapid division - can lead to tumours
Slow division - can lead to ageing
What is cell potency?
A stem’s cell ability to differentiate into different types of cells.
Define totipotent
Potential to different into any type of cell
Define pluripotent
Potential to differentiate to all types of tissue, but not whole organism
Define Multipotent?
Can only differentiate into a range of cells within a certain type of tissue.
Describe when cells can be totipotent
The first 8-16 cells in an embryo
Describe when cells can be pluripotent
Early embryos
Describe when cells can be multipotent
Stem cells in bone marrow
Where are blood cells derived from?
Bone marrow
What is the scientific name for red blood cells?
Erythrocytes
Why do red blood cells need to be constantly replaced?
Short life span due to lack of nucleus
How long do neutrophils live for?
6 hours
What are the two types of animal stem cells?
- Embryonic stem cells
- Tissue (adult) stem cells
What is the different between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells?
Embryonic stem cells have a higher potency, and are therefore able to differentiate into more types of cells, whereas adult stem cells can only differentiate into specific tissues.
Embryonic - totipotent
Adult tissues stem cells - pluripotent
What is the source of plant stem cells?
Meristems (meristematic tissue)
Describe the potency of meristems
Pluripotent
What are the uses of stem cells?
- Heart disease (muscle tissue)
- Type 1 diabetes
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Treatment of burns
Explain ethical problems associated with stem cells
The use of embryonic stem cells is controversial due to the differing perceptions of whether an embryo is a child or not. This allows doctors to use pluripotent cells instead of Multipotent cells found in bone marrow.
- Religious objections as well
What are specialised cells?
Cells that have differentiated
What are examples of specialised animal cells?
- Erythrocytes
- Neutrophils
- Sperm cells
How are erythrocytes specialised?
- Bioconcave shape - increase SA:V
- Don’t have nucleus - more space for haemoglobin
- Flexible - can squeeze through capillaries
How are neutrophils specialised?
- Multi-lobed - can squeeze through small gaps to get to site of infections
- Granular cytoplasm contains lysosomes, that contain enzymes used to attack pathogens.
How are sperm cells specialised?
- Tail and flagellum - aid movement
- Many mitochondria - provides energy to swim
- Acrosome (head of the sperm) - contains digestive enzymes to penetrate eggs.
What are examples of specialised plant cells?
- Palisade cells
- Root hair cells
- Guard cells
How are palisade cells specialised?
- Chloroplasts in mesophyll - absorb light for photosynthesis
- Thin walls - increase diffusion rate for CO2.
- Large vacuole - maintain tugor pressure.
How are root hair cells specialised?
- Increased the surface area of the cell
- maximises water & mineral uptake
How are guard cells specialised?
- Cell wall is thicker on one side, so creates a hoop shape.
What are examples of specialised animal tissues?
- Squamous epithelium
- Ciliated epithelium
- Cartilage
- Muscle