Cell Specialization

Question 1

What is Cell Specialization?

Answer 1

process where identical cells turn into cells with specific functions in multicellular organisms

Question 2

What is Cell Differentiation?

Answer 2

How cells become specialized
cells have same genes but different functions depending on which genes are expressed

Question 3

3 factors that influences Cell Specialization

Answer 3

• contents in cytoplasm (increases organelle functions and determines early specialization)
• environmental conditions (temperature, exposure to substances, disease)
• Influence of neighboring cells (substance diffuse into neighbor cell, changing how DNA info is expressed)

Question 4

What is a Stem Cell?

Answer 4

undifferentiated cell that has potential to become specialized

Question 5

Name 3 types of Stem Cells

Answer 5

Totipotent, Pluripotent, Multipotent

Question 6

What are two Embryonic Stem Cells?

Answer 6

Early Embryonic: Totipotent
–> less than 4 days old
–> forms ANY human body cells and embryo

Late Embryonic: Pluripotent
–> after 5 days
–> forms MOST types of cells

Question 7

What is an Adult Stem Cell?

Answer 7

Multipotent: only forms certain types of specialized cells
Found in:
–> bone marrow to restore blood cells
–> umbilical cord for future disease