Part 8: Differentiation and Levels of Organisation Flashcards
Define ‘differentiation’.
The process by which cells become specialised for a particular function.
What is the difference between ‘differentiation’ and ‘differentiated’?
‘Differentiation’ is the process of becoming specialised, whereas ‘differentiated’ is the result, so ‘differentiated’ is a synonym of specialised.
Describe how cells differentiate.
(4)
- Multicellular organisms are made up of cells that can become specialised to carry out a specific job.
- These cells start out undifferentiated.
- As the organisms develop, these cells differentiate to form different types of cells.
- As a cell differentiates, it acquires different organelles to let it carry out a particular function.
State a similarity between differentiation in animal and plant cells.
Both cells go through cell division, also known as mitosis.
Stage differences between differentiation in animal and plant cells.
- In animal cells, once differentiated, they can not change, whereas in plant cells, they can change throughout they lives.
- Most animal cells differentiate at an early stage (as the embryo is developing), whereas plantd cells don’t differentiate until they are in their final position.
State the levels of organisation in order from smallest to largest. (5)
- Specialised cells
- Tissues
- Organs
- Organ systems
- Organism
Define ‘tissues’.
A group of specialised cells with similar structures working together to perform a common function.
Define ‘organs’.
A group of tissues that work together to perform a common function.
Define ‘organ system’.
A group of tissues that work together to perform an overall life process.
State an example of a specialised cell.
Muscle cell
State an example of a tissue in the body.
Epithelial tissue
State an example of an organ in the body.
Stomach
State an example of an organ system.
Digestive system
State an example of an organism
An animal
Explain why the heart is considered to be an organ. (2)
- The heart is made from tissues such as muscle and nerve tissues.
- The heart is involved in the respiratory and circulatory system (in which the heart pumps blood around the body).
Explain whether or not levels of organisation apply to plants.
These levels of organisation do apply to plants as there are specialised cells (e.g., xylem and phloem), tissues (e.g., palisade mesophyll), and organs (e.g., a leaf).
