Cellular Differentiation Flashcards
What is cellular 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.
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are unspecialised cells in animals that can divide (self-renew) and/or differentiate.
What are embryonic stem cells?
Cells in the very early embryo can differentiate into all the cell types that make up the organism and so are pluripotent.
What are tissue stem cells?
Tissue stem cells are involved in the growth, repair and renewal of the cells found in that tissue. Tissue stem cells are multipotent as they can differentiate into all of the types of cell found in a particular tissue type.
What are plant stem cells called?
Meristems.
What are the roles of stem cells?
Self renewal/mitosis- making new stem cells
Differentiation- making specialised cells
What are the therapeutic uses of stem cells?
The repair of damaged or diseased organs or tissues.
Grow organs in a lab for organ transplant e.g. skin transplant and corneal repair.
What can stem cell research be used for?
Aids understanding of how cells grow, differentiation and how gene regulation works.
Provides model cells for studying how diseases develop and the effectiveness of new drugs.
What is the ethical issues with using stem cells?
It involves the destruction of embryos which some people do not agree with.
