Stem cells and differentiation

Question 1

what are stem cells

what is differntiation

Answer 1

undifferentiated cells that can develop into any type of cell
the process by which cells become specialised

Question 2

can stem cells divide to produce more undifferentiated stem cells

Answer 2

yes

- so this means they can renew themselves

Question 3

1) what are adult stem cells used for

2) what are plant stem cells used for

Answer 3

1) to replace damaged cells

2) make new shoots and roots

Question 4

what do stem cells in the bone marrow differentiate to

what are enthrocytes and neutrophils

Answer 4

blood cells
-adult stem cells divide and differentiate to replace worn out blood cells

the two types of blood cells are:

1) red blood cell- enthrocyte
2) white blood cell- neutrophil

Question 5

stem cells in the plant…

Answer 5

are found in meristem tissue

stem cells in the vascular cambium can differentiate into xylem or phloem

Question 6

what neurological disorders might it be possible to treat with stem cells

Answer 6

Alzheimer’s: when nerve cells die in the brain, leading to memory loss

• stem cells can be used to regrow healthy nerve cells

Parkinson’s: suffers from tremors that they cant control
the disease causes a loss of a particular type of nerve cell in the brain, which releases dopamine

• stem cells could regenerate the dopamine-producing cells.

Question 7

Root hair cells and Guard cells

Answer 7

• cytoplasm in the root hair cells have extra mitochondria to provide energy needed for active transport.
• Guard cells have thin outer walls and thick inner walls , forcing them to bend outwards, opening the stomata