Cellullar Differentiation

Question 1

Definition of cellular differentiation

Answer 1

Cell differentiation is 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

Question 2

differentiation in plants

Answer 2

meristems are regions of unspecialised cells in plants that can divide (self renew) and/ or differentiate into any type of cell.

Question 3

What are stem cells?

Answer 3

Stem cells are unspecialised cells in animals that can divide ( self renew) and/ or differentiate

Question 4

Tissue/adult stem cells (3)

Answer 4

-Tissue stem cells are involved in the growth, repair and renewal of the cells found in that tissue.
-They are Multi-potent as they can differentiate into a limited range of cell types.
-Eg blood stem cells located in bone marrow

Question 5

Embryonic stem cells (2)

Answer 5

-all of the genes in an embryonic stem cell have the ability to be switched on, so these cells can differentiate into any type of cell (pluripotent)
- there can be ethical issues in using embryonic stem cells

Question 6

Examples of therapeutic uses of stem cells

Answer 6

Repairing damaged or diseased organs or tissues such as the regeneration of damaged skin or in corneal repair

Question 7

Research uses of stem cells and examples

Answer 7

Provides information on how cell processes such as cell growth, differentiation and gene regulation work.
For example being used as model cells to study how diseases develop and being used for drug testing

Question 8

The ethical issues of using embryonic stem cells

Answer 8

PRO- use of embryonic stem cells can offer effective treatments for disease and injury

Ethical issues
- it involves destruction of embryos
- A human life begins with a fertilised eggs and should not be harmed
- a fertilised egg is a human being with a soul
- stem cell research is unnatural