Cell Structure Flashcards
what do cells do in order to become specialised
differentiation
how are types of cells different to each other
they all contain the same genetic information but depending on what role a cell needs to play
what happens to a cell when it differentiates
it develops a structure and composes subcellular structures which enables it it carry out a certain function
what are adult stem cells and what are they mainly involved in
undifferentiated cells that retain their ability to specialise throughout adulthood
involved in replacing and repairing cells
what is a specialised cell
those which have developed certain characteristics in order to perform particular functions. these differences are controlled by the nucleus
what does a ciliated cell do and what are its adaptations
- movement of mucus in the trachea and bronchi
has extensions of the cytoplasm at the surface of the cell to form hair-like structures called cilia
what does a nerve cell do and what are its adaptations
- conduction of impulses
- long so it can stretch to different parts of the body
- cell has extensions and branches so that it can communicate with other nerve cells and muscles and glands
- the axon is covered with a fatty sheath which insukates the nerve cell and speeds up the nerve impulse
what does a nerve cell do and what are its adaptations
conduction of impulses
- long so that they can stretch to and from different parts of the body
- cell has extensions and branches so that it can communicate with other nerve cells, muscles and glands
- the axon has a fatty sheath to insulate it and speed up the nerve impulse
what does a red blood cell do and what are its adaptations
transport of oxygen
- biconcave disk
- contains haemoglobin
- contains no nucleus
what does a sperm cell do and what are its adaptations
reproduction
- haploid nucleus
- tail
- packed with mitochondria
- contains digestive enzymes in the acrosome to penetrate the egg
what does a egg cell do and what are its adaptations
reproduction
- contains a lot of cytoplasm which contains a lot of nutrients
- haploid nucleus
- cell membrane has the ability to shut out more sperm after one has got through
what are some examples of specialised cells in animals
ciliated
nerve
egg
sperm
red blood
what are some examples of specialised cells in plants
root hair cell
xylem vessel
palisade mesophll cell
what does a root hair cell do and what are its adaptations
absorption of water an minerals from soil
- root hair increases surface area
- walls are thin
- no chloroplasts present
what does a palisade mesophyll cell do and what are its adaptations
photosynthesises
- column shaped so they can be closely packed together and maximise absorption of sunlight
- contains many chloroplasts for maximum photosynthesis
what does a xylem vessel do and what are its adaptations
conducts water through plant and supports it
- no top or bottom walls so that between vessels there is a continuous column
- cells are dead to allow free passage of water
- lignin cell walls to keep support
what is a stem cell
an undifferentiated cell that is capable of diving to produce more stem cells or other cell types through differentiation
what are the three types of stem cell
embryonic
adult
meristem
where are embryonic stem cells found
on the inside layer of an embryo
where are adult stem cells found
bone marrow
skin
umbilical cord blood
other organs such as liver and brain
what is similar about embryonic and meristem cells
they are both undifferentiated and unspecialised
why are adult stem cells not entirely useful
they have a limited ability to differentiate
what cells can be produced from an embryonic stem cell
all the types of specialised cell found in the body
what cells can be produced from an adult stem cell found in the skin
skin cells and hair follicles
what cells can be produced from meristem cells
one cell has the ability to produce a whole new plant
where are meristem cells found
in the tips of roots and shoots (the growing regions of plants)
what cells can be produced from an adult stem cell found in the bone marrow
mainly blood cells (red blood cells, cells of the immune system)
what cells can be produced from an adult stem cell found in the umbilical cord blood
cells of the blood (red and white), muscle and nerve tissue
what cells can be produced from an adult stem cell found in other organs such as the liver and brain
cells found in these organs
what does the term totipotent mean
they can form all of the different tissues and organ needed during development
embryonic stem cells are totipotent
what is the main role of adult stem cells
to replace cells lost through damage or to produce new cells for growth
what is type 1 diabetes
inability of the pancreas to produce insulin to control blood sugar levels
how can stem cells treat type 1 diabetes
stem cells could be differentiated into insulin - producing pancreatic cells which are transplanted into the patients body
where would you source the stem cells for treating type 1 diabetes
stem cell donors or therapeutic cloning
where would you source the stem cells needed for treating paralysis
stem cell donors or therapeutic cloning
what is paralysis
damage to cells in the spinal cord, preventing signals from the brain reaching muscles in parts of the body resulting in loss of movement