CELLULAR DIFFERENTIATION

Question 1

cellular differentiation

Answer 1

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 2

Differentiation into specialised cells from meristems in plants

Answer 2

meristems are regions of unspecialised cells in plants that can divide (self-renew) and/or differentiate

Question 3

stem cells

Answer 3

stem cells are unspecialised cells in animals that can divide (self-renew) and/or differentiate

Question 4

Differentiation into specialised cells from embryonic stem cells in animals

Answer 4

• cells in the very early embryo can differentiate into all the cell types that make up the organism
• pluripotent
  -all genes can be switched on
  -differentiate into any type of cell

Question 5

Differentiation into specialised cells from (adult) tissue stem cells

Answer 5

• tissue stem cells are involved in growth, repair and renewal of cells found in that tissue
• multipotent
• For example, blood stem cells located in bone marrow can give rise to all types of blood cell.

Question 6

pluripotent + multipotent

Answer 6

pluripotent: ESC can differentiate into all cell types
multipotent: stem cells can differentiate into all cell type found in a particular tissue

Question 7

different uses of stem cells

Answer 7

therapeutic and research uses

Question 8

therapeutic uses of stem cells

Answer 8

• therapeutic uses of stem cells should be exemplified by how they are used in corneal repair and the regeneration of damaged skin
• involve the repair of damaged or diseased organs or tissues
• Stem cells from the embryo can self renew, under the right conditions, in the lab

Question 9

Research uses of stem cells

Answer 9

• involve stem cells being used as model cells to study how diseases develop or being used for drug testing
• Stem cell research provides information on how cell processes such as cell growth, differentiation and gene regulation work

Question 10

The ethical issues of using embryonic stem cells

Answer 10

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