Cellular Differentiation

Question 1

What is differentiation?

Answer 1

The process by which a cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins characteristic for that type of cell.

Question 2

What is the end result of differentiation?

Answer 2

Specialised cells

Question 3

Name the region of unspecialised cells in plant.

Answer 3

meristems

Question 4

State two characteristics of meristems.

Answer 4

they can divide (self-renew) and/or differentiate

Question 5

What name is given to unspecialised cells that can divide and/or differentiate in animals?

Answer 5

stem cells

Question 6

What can embryonic stem cells differentiate into?

Answer 6

all types of cell that make the organism

Question 7

What name is given to this potential? (to become any type of cell)

Answer 7

pluripotent

Question 8

How many of the genes in an embryonic stem cell can be switched on?

Answer 8

all of them

Question 9

What term is used to describe the potential of tissue stem cells?

Answer 9

multipotent

Question 10

What do we call the process by which a cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins characteristic for that type of cell?

Answer 10

Differentiation

Question 11

What can tissue stem cells differentiate into?

Answer 11

All types of cell found in that particular tissue.

Question 12

What can blood stem cells located in the bone marrow differentiate into?

Answer 12

Any type of blood cell ONLY, nothing else

Question 13

Give an example of a therapeutic use of stem cells.

Answer 13

corneal repair, skin graft

Question 14

What does therapeutic mean?

Answer 14

Repair of damaged or diseased organs or tissues

Question 15

State 3 ways stem cells can be used in research?

Answer 15

1. study cell processes
2. model cells to study disease
3. model cells for drug testing

Question 16

State 3 cell processes stem cells could be used to study.

Answer 16

1. growth
2. differentiation
3. gene regulation

Question 17

What are the 2 main arguments when it comes to debating the ethical issues around the use of stem cells?

Answer 17

1. embryonic stem cells can offer effective treatments for disease and injury
2. it involves destruction of embryos

Question 18

State the possible location of adult/tissue stem cells.

Answer 18

brain, bone marrow, skin, muscle, adult tissue

Question 19

Give an example of a medical condition that could potentially be treated in the future using stem cells.

Answer 19

Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease

Question 20

How could stem cells be used to treat Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 20

The stem cells are differentiated into specific cells in a lab to replace the diseased tissue