Cellular Differentiation Flashcards
Define the process of cellular differentiation
A cell develops more specialised functions by expressing only the genes to produce proteins characteristic for that type of cell
What happens when a cell becomes differentiated?
It only expresses the genes that produce the proteins characteristic for that type of cell
What does differentiation allow?
A cell to carry out a specialised function (by becoming unspecialised to specialised…)
What are meristems?
Regions of unspecialised cells in plants
What can meristems do?
Self renew/divide
Differentiate into specialised cells
Where are apical meristems found? And what do they do?
Found at root and shoot tips. They are important in increasing length by producing xylem or phloem
What about lateral meristems?
Found at the cambium, each year it forms a ring of woody xylem
Name the two types of unspecialised cell in multicellular organisms?
Embryonic stem cells
Adult tissue stem cells
Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent. What does this mean?
They can differentiate into all the cell types that make up the organism
How are embryonic stem cells pluripotent?
All the genes can be switched on therefore these cells can differentiate into any cells
Can stem cells self renew?
Stem cells can self renew under the right condition in the lab
What are adult tissue stem cells needed for?
Growth, repair and renewal of tissues
Tissue stem cells are multipotent? What does this mean.
The specialised cells they can become are more limited, they can differentiate into cell types found in a particular tissue type.
Give an example of an adult tissue stem cell.
Blood stem cells in bone marrow can become any type of blood cell
What are the two uses of stem cells?
Therapeutic
Research
Give examples of therapeutic uses of stem cells
Repair of damaged or diseased organs/tissues
Repair of the cornea by transplants
Regeneration of damaged skin by skin grafts
How are stem cells used for research?
Stem cells are used as model cells to study how diseases develop being used for drug testing
Give examples of research uses of stem cells?
Parkinson’s
Alzheimer’s
What are the ethical issues of using embryonic stem cells?
Destroying a potential life
People’s religion are against it etc
Destructs embryo
The use of embryonic stem cells benefits?
Offers effective treatments for disease and injury
Potential to find cures
