Stem Cells

Question 1

What 2 important features that stem cells have?

Answer 1

1) They replace themselves by dividing by mitosis

2) They are unspecialised cells

Question 2

What is differentiation?

Answer 2

Changes a stem cells undergoes to become specialised.

Question 3

How does differentiation occur? 3 steps.

Answer 3

1) During differentiation some genes are expressed (switched on) whereas other genes are ‘switched off’
2) Genes which are ‘switched on’ are transcribed into mRNA which is then translated into proteins
3) These proteins modify the cell so it becomes specialised to carry out specific functions

Question 4

What does differentiation change?

Answer 4

Changes cell shape, cell contents, or numbers of particular organelles.

Question 5

Can we reverse these changes?

Answer 5

These changes in cell differentiation are irreversible and permanent, once a cell becomes specialised, it stays specialised.