KA4 - cellular differentiation :)

Question 1

What is cellular differentiation?

Answer 1

Where a cell expresses certain genes to produce protein characteristics within that type of cell.

Question 2

What kind of function does cellular differentiation carry out?

Answer 2

SPECIALISED functions

Question 3

What are the type of stem cells in plants?

Answer 3

MERISTEMS

Question 4

What are the type of stem cells in animals?

Answer 4

embryonic and tissue (adult) stem cells

Question 5

What are meristems and embryonic and tissue stem cells?

Answer 5

They are unspecialised cells that can divide (self renew) and differentiate

Question 6

Explain embryonic stem cells

Answer 6

• all genes can be switched on
• they differ into any cell type
• PLURIPOTENT
• cells in the embryo can self renew

Question 7

Explain tissue (adult) stem cells. Where can they be found?

Answer 7

They help with the growth, repair and renewal in certain tissue types
they are MULTIPOTENT
they are found in blood stem cells in bone marrow
They can differentiate into all of the types of a cell found in a particular tissue type

Question 8

What are some research methods using stem cells?

Answer 8

• study how diseases develop
• drug testing
• study cell growth, differentiation and gene regulation

Question 9

What are some therapeutic benefits of stem cells? When can they be used?

Answer 9

• repair damaged or diseased organs or tissues
• corneal repair
• regeneration of damaged skin

Question 10

Why is there an ethical concern of stem cells?

Answer 10

It involves the destruction of embryos