Ka 4 Flashcards
Describe what cellular differentiation is
Is the process by which a cell expressed certain genes to produce proteins characteristic for that type of cell
Explain why cellular differentiation is important to cells
This allows a cell to carry out specialised functions
Give 2 examples of where cellular differentiation occurs
Meristems in plants
Stem cells in animals - embryonic and tissue
Describe what meristems are
Meristems are regions of unspecialised calls in plants that can
Divide and differentiate
Describe what stem cells are
Stem cells are unspecialised cells in animals that can divide and differentiate
Which cells would you describe as pluripotent and what does it mean
Cell embryonic stem cells
Meaning can differentiate into all the cell types that make up the organism
Explain why embryonic cells are said to be pluripotent
Because all the genes in embryonic stem cells can be switched on so these cells can differentiate into any type of cell
State the functions of tissue stem cells
Growth
Repair
Renewal
Of cells found in a tissue
Which cells would you describe as multipotent and what does it mean
Adult stem cells
As they can differentiate into all of the types of cell found in a particular tissue type
Describe what therapeutic use means
Therapeutic uses involve the repair of damaged or diseased organs or tissues
Two examples of therapeutic use of stem cells
Corneal repair
Regeneration of damaged skin
What happens to embryonic stem cells in the right conditions in the lab
They can sled renew
Give 2 examples of research uses of stem cells
How diseases develop
Being used for drug testing
Give 3 pieces of information that can be provided by research using stem cells
Cell growth
Differentiation
Gene regulation
Describe 2 ethical issues raised by the use of stem cells
Can offer effective treatments for diseases and injuries
It involves the destruction of an embryo
