Differentiation/ stem cells

Question 1

What is differentiation?

Answer 1

When a cell specialises and adapts to suit a specific function to perform.

Question 2

What’s the difference between differentiation in plants and animals?

Answer 2

In animals it occurs when they are embryos, these changes are permanent. In plant it happens throughout its life, and can be reversed or changed.

Question 3

What is a stem cell?

Answer 3

A cell that hasn’t been specialised to suit specific function, it can differentiate into any type of cell.

Question 4

How can using stem cells for curing diseases an advantage?

Answer 4

Stem cells can be extracted from the patient like their bone marrow or embryos (if they are a woman) to grow specific tissue which can help cure paralysis or heart problems due to the fact that they can specialise into any type of cell, this is an advantage as it doesn’t risk the patient rejecting the tissue made, as its from the same organism.

Question 5

What are some disadvantages of using embryonic stem cells?

Answer 5

-They can b controversial as they are sources from potential lives.
-They are quick to grow however can risk causing cancer.