cellular differentiation Flashcards
cellular differentiation
when cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins
- allows cell to carry out specific function ex blood cell to. carry O2
meristems
regions of unspecialised cells in plants that can divide
- in root and shoot tips of plants - increase length
stem cells
unspecialised cells in animals that divide in order to self renew
which genes are switched on and switched off
most genes are switched on that control characteristics of specialised cell and produce protein characteristics
types of meristem
apical and lateral
apical
when cells divide they elongate and root and shoot tip lengthens
- in root and shoot tips
- differentiate to produce specialised tissues like xylem and phloem
lateral
- allow plants to grow and increase in diameter
- as cells divide they increase diameter of stem
found in cambium tissue, roots and stems
blastocyst
formed by repeated cell division in the zygote
- contains source of embryonic stem cells
2 groups of stem cells
embryonic and tissue
embryonic
- all genes are switched on allowing cells in early embryos to differentiate and have potential to become any cell
- pluripotent
- in blastocyst
tissue
- they only express genes that produce protein characteristics of cell
- multipotent
- needed for growth, repair, renewal
- in various animal tissues
- divide to replace dead cells witch specific tissue
research value of stem cells
allow researchers to understand:
- how adult tissues develop and are maintained
- the effectiveness of drugs by testing them
- how diseases devlelop
ethical issues
involves embryos being destroyed
describe how unspecialised cells in the meristem differentiate into
specialised cells
certain genes are switched on
