Cellular Differentiation 1.4 Flashcards
What is differentiation
The process by which a cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins characteristic for that type of cell. This allows a cell to carry out specialised functions.
Definition of unspecialised cells
Cells that can divide and/or differentiate
Unspecialised cells in animals?
Stem cells
Unspecialised cells in plants
Meristem
What can embryonic cells do
All the genes in the cells at this early stage are still switched on or have the potential to be switched on.
What happens once a cell becomes specialised?
It only expresses genes that code for proteins specific to the role of the cell.
What are embryonic stem cells said to be
Pluripotent
What source are embryonic stem cells used by scientists
Research
What are tissue stem cells involved in?
The growth, repair and renewal of the cells found in that tissue.
What are tissue stem cells said to be?
Multipotent as they can only differentiate into a limited tissue type.
Research use of stem cells
Provides information on how cell process work such as cell growth, differentiation and gene regulation work. Can be used as model cells to study how diseases develop or for drug testing.
Therapeutic uses of stem cells
Included the repair of damaged or diseased tissues and organs e.g. corneal repair.
Ethical issues of embryonic stem cells use.
Involves destruction of embryos
