unit one - cellular differentiation

Question 1

what is cellular differentiation?

Answer 1

the process by which a cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins characteristic for that type of cell, this allows cell to carry out specialised functions

Question 2

what are embryonic and tissue stem cells?

Answer 2

ones that can differentiate into specialised cells from meristems in plants

Question 3

what are meristems?

Answer 3

regions of unspecialised cells in plants that can divide or differentiate.

Question 4

what are stem cells?

Answer 4

unspecialised cells in animals that can divide(self renew) or differentiate.

Question 5

what are embryonic and tissue stem cells?

Answer 5

cells in the very early embryo can differentiate into all cell types that make up an organism (pluripotent)

Question 6

what can the genes in an embryonic stem cell do?

Answer 6

they can be switched on so these cells can differentiate into any type of cell

Question 7

what are tissue stem cells involved in?

Answer 7

the growth and repair of the cells found in the tissue, they are multipotent.

Question 8

what are the therapeutic uses of these cells?

Answer 8

repair of damaged or diseased organs or tissue

Question 9

what are research uses for these cells?

Answer 9

study how diseases develop or drug testing

Question 10

what is the ethical issue with using embryonic stem cells?

Answer 10

use of embryonic stem cells can offer effective treatments for disease and injury however it involves the destruction of embryos