U1 Differentiation Flashcards
what is is cellular differentiation?
the process by which unspecialised cells become specialised for a specific function in the body
what is the need for cellular differentiation?
allows cells to perform a specialised function in the body
what are meristems?
meristems are unspecialised regions of cells in plants which can self renew and/or differentiate
what are stem cells and what are the two types?
Unspecialised cells in animals which can self renew or differentiate into specialised cells. two types: embryonic and tissue
how are specialised cells formed?
A cell only expresses the genes that produce the proteins characteristic for that type of cell. E.g a mammalian muscle cell expresses mammalian muscle cell genes to produce mammalian muscle cell proteins
what are embryonic stem cells
Stem cells found in the early embryo. can divide and differentiate into all cell types - therefore are pluripotent. All genes can be switched on or off
what are tissue stem cells
Stem cells found in a mature organism. they are involved in growth, repair, and renewal of cells in the tissue in which they are located. they are multipotent meaning they can differentiate into all cell types in a particular tissue. e.g. blood stem cells found in bone marrow can differentiate into all blood cell types
how can stem cells be used therapeutically?
therapeutically to repair damaged or diseased organs (skin grafts, corneal repair).
explain the ethical issues surrounding the use of stem cells
many disagree with the destruction of human embryos
how can stem cells be used in research?
Stem cells can be used to provide model cells which can be used to study how diseased develop at a cellular level or to test new drugs.
Where are meristems found?
Meristems are found in the shoots, roots and between the xylem and phloem. Meristems in roots and shoots allow plants roots and shoots to grown longer and meristems between the xylem and phloem allow a plant to grow wider.
