DNA and the Genome - Cellular Differentiation

Question 1

blastocyst

Answer 1

early human embryo composed of unspecialised cells

Question 2

differentiation

Answer 2

• 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 3

embryonic

stem cell

Answer 3

type of stem cell capable of differentiating into all of an animal’s cell types

pluripotent

Question 4

meristems

Answer 4

group of unspecialised plant cells capable of dividing (self-renewal) and/or differentiating

Question 5

specialised

Answer 5

cell has become differentiated and only expresses genes for proteins specific to that cell type

Question 6

tissue

stem cells

Answer 6

• type of stem call capable of differentiating into a limited range of an animals cell types (as they have already begun differentiation)
• they are involved in the growth, repair and renewal of the cells found in that tissue type

multipotent

Question 7

uses of stem cells

research and theraputic

Answer 7

research
- model cells for drug testing
- provides information on how cellular processes work such as cell growth, differentiation, gene regulation etc.

theraputic
- treatment of patients with damaged or diseased tissues e.g. corneal repair, skin grafts