Chapter 5: Cell Differentiation and Specialisation Flashcards
What is a zygote?
A cell formed by the union of two sex cells; usually fertilisation of an egg cell by a sperm cell
What does differentiate mean?
The process by which cells develop special charactristics to suit particular functions
What does specialise mean?
To develop specific features suited to specific function
What are stem cells?
An unspecialised, immature cell capable of differentiating into a specialised cell
What is a totipotent stem cell?
A stem cell that can develop into any of the types of cells necessary for embryonic development
What re pluripotent stem cells?
A stem cell that can develop into many, but not all, of the cell types necessary for foetal development
What are embryonic stem cells?
A stem cell that is cultured for foetal development
What are multipotent stem cells?
A stem cell that can develop into a limited number of cell types
What are adult stem cells?
A stem cell harvested from tissue such as bone marrow that are not part of an embryo
What is mitosis?
A type of cell division in which a parent cell produces two daughter cells with exactly the same gentic material as each other and as the parent cell
What cells aren’t produced by mitosis?
Sex cells
What is the structural heirarchy of multicellular organisms?
Cells make up tissues, which makes up organs which makes up systems
