Divison and differentiation in human cells Flashcards
Describe somatic cells
- Any cell in the body’s other than those involved in reproduction
- They are diploid so have 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes
How do somatic cells divide
Mitosis
Why do somatic cells divide by mitosis
To form more somatic cells
Describe germline cells
- They are gamates and the stem cells that divide to form gamates
- They are haploid and contain 23 single chromosomes
What do germline cells divide by
Mitosis and Meiosis
Describe cellular differentiation
-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
Describe Embryonic stem cells
- pluripotent and can differentiate into all cell types that make up an individual
- This can happen as all genes in embryonic stem cells can be switched on
Describe tissue stem cells
- They are multipotent as they can differentiate into all of the types of cells found in a particular tissue type
Give an example of tissue stem cells
- blood stem cells located in blood marrow can give rise to red blood cells, platelets, phagocytes and lymphocytes
What are tissue stem cells role in a cell
they are involved in growth, repair and renewal of cells found in that tissue
Describe therapeutic uses of stem cells
Involves the repair of damaged or diseased organs
ie Corneal repair, regeneration of damaged skin
Describe research use of stem cells
Embryos can self renew under the right conditions
Stem cells provide information on how cells processes such as cell growth, differentiation and gene regulation work
What does research of stem cells involve
stem cells being used as
- model cells to study how diseases develop
- for drug testing
State the ethical implications of stem cells
- it involves the destruction of embryos
What is a cancer cells
they divide excessively because they do not respond to regulatory signals
