Cellular Differentiation Flashcards
What is meant by differentiation?
The process by which a cell develops more specialised functions by expressing the genes characteristic for that type of cell.
What is a meristem?
A region of unspecialised cells in plants capable of cell division.
What is a stem cell?
Unspecialised cells in animals which are capable of making copies of themselves or differentiating to form specialised cells.
What is the difference between tissue (adult) stem cells and embryonic stem cells?
Tissue (adult) stem cells can only differentiate into a narrow range of cells but embryonic stem cells can become all cells needed by the organism.
What does pluripotent mean?
Can differentiate into all the cell types needed by the organism.
What does multipotent mean?
Can differentiate into a limited range of cells.
Why do organisms have tissue (adult) stem cells?
To replenish differentiated cells that need to be replaced.
Why do people have ethical concerns with the use of embryonic stem cells?
Embryos get destroyed which some people think is the same as murder.
What are two therapeutic uses of stem cells?
Corneal transplants and growing skin grafts for burns.
What are some of the ways that stem cells can be used in research?
Used as model cells to test drugs, used to study cell processes like growth and differentiation and gene regulation.
Give an example of a tissue adult stem cell?
Cells in bone marrow which go on to differentiate into all the cells of the blood.
Which type of meristem is found at the tip of the root and shoot in plants?
Apical Meristem
Which type of meristem is responsible for growth in thickness of the plant?
Lateral Meristem
What is the name for specialised cells which are reprogrammed to act as embryonic stem cells?
Induced pluripotent stem cells
