Unit 1

Question 1

State the role of DNA polymerase in the process of DNA replication

Answer 1

Binds complementary nucleotides to DNA

Question 2

What is a somatic cell

Answer 2

A somatic cell is any cell in the body other than the cells involved in reproduction

Question 3

How do somatic cells divide

Answer 3

Somatic cells divide by mitosis to form more somatic cells

Question 4

What are germline cells

Answer 4

Germline cells are gametes (sperm and ova) and the stem cells that divide to form gametes

Question 5

How do germline cells divide

Answer 5

Germline stem cells divide by mitosis and meiosis

Question 6

What does mitosis from germline cells create

Answer 6

More germline cells

Question 7

Why does the nucleus of the germline cell divide by mitosis

Answer 7

To maintain the diploid chromosome number

Question 8

How many pairs of homologous chromosomes do diploid cells have

Answer 8

23 pairs

Question 9

Division of meiosis on germline cells produces?

Answer 9

Haploid gametes

Question 10

How many divisions do germline cells undergo

Answer 10

Two divisions, first separating homologous chromosomes and secondly separating chromatids

Question 11

How many chromosomes do haploid gametes contain

Answer 11

23 single chromosomes

Question 12

What is cellular differentiation?

Answer 12

The process by which a cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins characteristics for that type of cell. This allows a cell to carry out specialised functions.

Question 13

What can cells in a very early embryo differentiate into?

Answer 13

All the cell types that make up the individual

Question 14

Embryonic stem cells are…

Answer 14

Pluripotent

Question 15

What does pluripotent mean?

Answer 15

All the genes in embryonic stem cells can be switched on so these cells can differentiate into any type of cell.

Question 16

What are tissue stem cells involved in?

Answer 16

Growth, repair, and renewal of the cells found in that tissue.

Question 17

Tissue stem cells are…

Answer 17

Multipotent

Question 18

What does multipotent mean?

Answer 18

Able to differentiate into all of the types found in a part tissue type.

Question 19

Blood cells located in bone marrow can give rise to…

Answer 19

Red blood cells, platelets, phagocytes and lymphocytes (white blood cells)

Question 20

What do therapeutics uses of stem cells involve

Answer 20

Repair of damaged or diseased organs or tissues.

Question 21

What are therapeutic stem cells used for

Answer 21

Corneal repair and the regeneration of damaged skin.

Question 22

What is research involving stem cells being used as model cells used to study?

Answer 22

How diseases develop or being used for drug testing

Question 23

What cell processes does stem cell research provide information for?

Answer 23

How cell growth, differentiation, and gene regulation work.

Question 24

What are the ethical issues of using embryonic stem cells?

Answer 24

Use of embryonic stem cells can offer effective treatments for disease and injury; however, involves destruction of embryos.

Question 25

Describe the formation of a tumour

Answer 25

Cancer cells divide excessively because they do not respond to regulatory signals. This results in a mass of abnormal cells called a tumour

Question 26

How are secondary tumours formed?

Answer 26

Cells within the tumour may fail to attach to each other, spreading through the body where they may form secondary tumours.

Question 27

Diploid chromosome number

Answer 27

46

Question 28

Haploid chromosome number

Answer 28

23