Mitosis and the cell cycle

Question 1

What is the cell cycle

Answer 1

Cells dividing

Question 2

What happens during the cell cycle

Answer 2

1) Cell grows and the number of sub-cellular structures such as ribosomes and mitochondria increase
2) each chromosome is pulled to opposite poles of the cell, then the nucleus divides
3) the cytoplasm and cell membrane divide and two identical daughter cells are produced

Question 3

Why is cell division by mitosis important

Answer 3

for growth and development

Question 4

what happens in meiosis

Answer 4

genetic information copied
cell divides twice to form four gametes,
gametes are haploid and genetically different

Question 5

what is a stem cell

Answer 5

an unspecialised cell which can differentiate into many other cell types

Question 6

what is the function of stem cells in a plant meristems

Answer 6

they can differntiate into a cell which is required by the plant

Question 7

what are the advantages of cloning plants using meristem stem cells

Answer 7

can prevent rare plants becoming extinct
can produce a large number of plants with a favourable characteristic
can produce identical plants for research

Question 8

Evaluate the social, ethical, religious and medical issues associated with the use of stem cells in medical treatment and research.

Answer 8

• Treatment of type one diabetes / paralysis
• No guarantee of successful treatment
• Hard to find adult stem cell donors
• killing of embryos
• Embryonic stem cells differentiate into a wide range of cell types
• helps to enchance the growth of new healthy skin tissue
• Private treatment can be expensive