U1:KA4 - Cellular differentiation

Question 1

What is cellular differentiation?

Answer 1

It is the process by which a cell develops more specialised functions by expressing the gene characteristic for that type of cell

Question 2

During differentiation which genes are switched on and off?

Answer 2

Many essential genes remain switched on, some genes for specific proteins are turned on and some unnecessary genes are switched off

Question 3

What does a self renewal stem cell maintain?

Answer 3

The stem cell pool

Question 4

What does a differentiation stem cell do?

Answer 4

Replaces the dead of damaged cells throughout your life

Question 5

Where are embryonic stem cells extracted from?

Answer 5

Embryos

Question 6

What are the inner cell mass cells of an early embryo (blastocyst stage)?

Answer 6

Pluripotent as they can make nearly all of the cell types in the body

Question 7

What are tissue (adult) stem cells involved in?

Answer 7

The growth repair and renewal of cells found in that tissue

Question 8

Are tissue cells pluripotent or multipotent?

Answer 8

Multipotent, this means they can make all of the cell types found in a particular tissue type

Question 9

What are therapeutic uses of stem cells?

Answer 9

They repair diseased or damaged organs/tissues

Question 10

What are stem cells involved in?

Answer 10

The treatment of corneal disease or damage, this involves extracting corneal stem cells and growing new layers of cells to be transplanted in the eye. They are also involved in treatment of burns, this involves growing a skin graft using stem cells.