Unit 1 key area 1.4

Question 1

What is differentiation?

Answer 1

Differentiation is a process by which specialised cells become specialised for a specific function in the body of a living organism.

Question 2

What does the process of differentiation depend on?

Answer 2

It depends on the control of gene expression.

Question 3

What do specialised cells express?

Answer 3

They express the genes characteristic of that cell type..

Question 4

What are meristems?

Answer 4

They are regions in plants containing unspecialised cells.

Question 5

What are meristems capable of?

Answer 5

cell division, and produce new cells that can differentiate to produce permanent tissues.

Question 6

What are stem cells?

Answer 6

Stem cells are relatively unspecialised cells in animals.

Question 7

What can stem cells do?

Answer 7

They can divide to produce cells that then differentiate into various types and more stem cells.

Question 8

In adults, stem cells within tissues differentiate to do what?

Answer 8

To replaced damaged cells of the type in those tissues.

Question 9

What does stem cell research provide?

Answer 9

Stem cell research provides information on how cell processes such as growth, differentiation and gene regulation work.

Question 10

What can stem cells be used to do?

Answer 10

Stem cells can be used therapeutically to repair damaged or diseased organs and tissue. They can also be used as model cells to study how diseases develop or for drug testing.

Question 11

Name one ethical issue with stem cell research.

Answer 11

Is the preventing of suffering more important than the duty to preserve human life? Embryonic stem cell research gives us a moral dilemma. It forces us to choose between two moral principles important to humans, our duty to prevent suffering, and the duty to respect human life.

Question 12

Name a second ethical issue with stem cell research.

Answer 12

Is there a possibility of stem cells being used eugenically? Embryonic stem cells might be used to change the body characteristics of already healthy and well individuals.

Question 13

Name a third ethical issue with stem cell research.

Answer 13

could stem cells become part of an illegal trade in biological material? It is possible that stem cells might be bought and sold illegally and treatment could become subject to the ability of an individual to pay.

Question 14

What can embryonic stem cell research lead to?

Answer 14

Embryonic stem cell research could lead to new medical treatments, which could save human lives, and relieve human suffering.