Key Area 4 Flashcards
What is cellular differentiation
Cellular 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.
What are stem cells
Stem cells are UNSPECIALISED CELLS in animals that can divide (SELF-RENEW) and/or Differentiate.
What two types of stem cells are there
Embryonic and tissue
Describe a embryonic stem cell
EMBRYONIC stems cells can differentiate into ALL THE CELL TYPES that make up the organism and so are PLURIPOTENT.
All the genes in embryonic stem cells can be switched on so these cells can differentiate into ANY TYPE OF CELL
Describe tissue stem cells
TISSUE stem cells are involved in the GROWTH, REPAIR and RENEWAL of the cells found in that tissue. They are MULTIPOTENT because they can differentiate into all of the types of cell found in a particular tissue type.
Name and describe therapeutic used for stem cells
Therapeutic uses of stem cells involve the repair of damaged or diseased organs or tissues.
Stem cells from the embryo can self-renew, under the right conditions in the lab.
Examples :
Stem cells can be used to repair damaged CORNEA in the eye.
Stem cells can be used to regenerate SKIN tissue for BURNS VICTIMS.
Research use of stem cells
Research uses of stem cells involves them being used as model cells to study how diseases develop or being used for drug testing.
Stem cell research provides information on how cell processes such as cell growth, differentiation and gene regulation work.
Ethical issues of stem cells
Use of EMBRYONIC stem cells can offer effective treatments for disease and injury, howev- er, it involves destruction of embryos and therefore the destruction of a potential life.
What are meristems
Meristems are regions of unspecialised cells in plants that can divide (self-renew) and/or differentiate.
