Key Area 1.4 & 1.5 Flashcards
What are stem cells
Stem cells are unspecialised cells in animals
Name two groups of stem cells
Embryonic and tissue
Describe embryonic stem cells
Pluripotent as they can differentiate into any type of cell, all of their gene are switched on
They come from early embryos known as blastocysts
There are ethical issue because embryos are destroyed
Describe tissue stem cells
Can only differentiate into a limited range of cells as many of their genes are switched off
They are needed for growth, repair and renewal of tissue
They are found in several locations in the body such as bone marrow and heart
State therapeutic uses of stem cells
- repair damaged or diseases organs
* grow skin graphs to treat burn victims
How can stem cells be used in research
- study how diseases develop during drug testing
* research into treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s
What are meristems
Unspecialised cells capable of division in plants
Name the types of meristem
Apical and lateral
Describe the apical meristem and where it is found
Found in the root and shoot of a plant, adds length to plant
Where is the lateral meristem found and name its function
Found inside a plant
Produces cambium which produces a new ring of xylem every year for the transport of water
Define genome
The sum total of all hereditary material within an organism
What are the functions of non coding regions of DNA
- regulating transcription
* transcribed but never translated
What is differentiation
The process by which unspecialised called become specialised
