Specialised Cells & Stem Cells

Question 1

What is Cell Specialisation? Include an example.

Answer 1

= Specialised to carry out a particular function

eg: red blood cells specialised for carrying O2 + white blood cells specialised for defending body against disease

Question 2

Explain what Cell Differentiation is.

Answer 2

1) A process where a cell changes to become specialised for it’s job

2) They develop different organelles & turn into different types of cells, it allows them to carry out specific functions

Question 3

Explain what Undifferentiated Cells (Stem Cells) are.

Answer 3

1) They can divide to product a lot more of them. They can differentiate into different types of cells depending on instructions given

2) Found in early human embryos. Potential to turn into any cell

Question 4

Explain the role of Adult Stem Cells.

Answer 4

1) Can’t turn into any cell, found in bone marrow

2) Used for growing clones in lab + differentiate into specialised cells used in medicine or research

Question 5

Explain how Adult Stem Cells Are Used To Cure Diseases.

Answer 5

1) Stem cells transferred from bone marrow of healthy person can replace faulty blood cells in receiving patient

2) Risk involved: stem cells in lab could get contaminated making patient sicker

Question 6

Give The Reasons For Why People Are Against Stem Cell Research.

Answer 6

1) Believe each human embryo is a potential life

2) Believe scientists should concentrate on finding other sources of stem cells

Question 7

State The Reasons For Why People Agree With Stem Cells Research.

Answer 7

1) Believe curing existing patients is more important than rights of embryos

2) Argue embryos used in research are unwanted ones from fertility clinics which would be destroyed outside of research