Topic One (level C) Flashcards
What is cellular differentiation ?
It is the process where a cell develops more specialised functions by expressing the genes characteristic for that type of cell
Where are stem cells found ?
Embryo (they are embryonic) tissue/adult .
What are somatic (stem) cells ?
Stem cells are unspecialised somatic cells that can divide to make copies of themselves (self-renew) & differentiate into specialised cells.
What are tissue stem cells involved in ?
Tissue (adult) stem cells are involved in the growth ,repair and renewal of the cells found in that tissue . (Multipotent)
What are tissue/adult stem cells ?
They are Multipotent
What are the main body types ?
Epithelial , connective , muscle and nerve tissue
What are organs formed by ?
The body organs are formed from a variety of (epithelial ,muscle ,connective and nerve ) tissues .
What can the early embryo make ?
The cells of the early embryo can make all of the differentiated cell types of the body .(pluripotent)
What are embryo cells ? (Early)
They are pluripotent
What do germline cells divide by ?
They divide by mitosis to produce more germline cells or by meiosis to produce haploid gametes.
What happens if mutations in germline cells occur ?
Results in the mutation being passed on to offspring
What is research and therapeutic for ?
Research and therapeutic uses of stem cells by reference to the repair of damaged or diseased organs or tissues
What can stem cells be used for ?
Can be used as model cells to study how diseases develop or for drug testing (for the ethical issues &I the regulation of their use)
What is the name given to cancer cells that divide excessively to produce a mass abnormal cells ?
This is called a Tumour
Do cancer cells respond to regulatory signals ?
Cancer cells do not respond to regulatory signal cells & may fail to attach to each other .
