Stem Cells & Differentiation Flashcards
What are stem cells?
They are unspecialised cells - they can develop into different type of cells.
Role of stem cells
They produce new cells to replace those that are worn out
Where are stem cell found in humans?
They are found in early embryos and in few places in adults
Describe stem cells in an embryos life
in the first few days of an embryos life, any of its cell can develop into any type of human cell -they’re all stem cells
Describe stem cells in an adult
in adults, stem cells are found in few places (e.g. bone marrow) but there not as flexible - they can only differentiate into a limited range of cells
How do stem cells become specialised?
They divide to become new cells, which then become specialised
definition of differentiate
its the process by which cell becomes speicalised for its job
describe stem cells as pluripotent
Stem cells pluripotent as they are able to divide to produce more undifferentiated stem cells (they can renew themselves)
What are stem cells used for in animals??
They are used to replace damaged cells
Describe bones
They are living organs, containing nerves and blood vessels. The main bones of the body have marrow in the center
Why do adults stem cell differentiate?
Adult stem cells divide and differentiate to replace work out blood cells - erythrocytes (red blood cells) and neutrophils (white blood cells)
Why are stem cells needed in plants?
To make shoots and roots throughout their lives. They can differentiate into various plant tissues
Definition of Meristematic cells
an undifferentiated cell in plants
Where are stem cells found in planyts
They are found in the meristems ( part of the plant where growth can take place)
What happens to the stem cells in the root and stem?
In the root and stem, stem cells of the vascular cambium divide and differentiate to become Xylem vessels and Phloem sieve Tubes
