stem cells

• Stem cells are undifferentiated cells which are genetically identical and have the ability to

  develop into any of the various kinds of cells.
• What are uses for stemcells?

  Repair of damage tissues

  Medicine

  Treatment of neurological disorders
• The process by which a cell specialised to carry out a particular function is known as

  differentiation.
• Stem cells can be found in the bone marrow where they differentiate into

  erythrocytes
• What is a red blood cell actually called?

  erythrocytes
• What is a white blood cell actually called?

  neutrophils
• The role of erythrocytes is transporting oxygen in the blood. They are relatively short lived as they are constantly destroyed and created
• The neutrophils are involved in attacking and destroying foreign microorganisms in the process of phagocytosis.
• Plants retain their ability to differentiate into different types of cells throughout their life.

  Division of plant cells occurs at a high rate in meristems. Dividing meristem cells are known

  as the cambium and give rise to xylem and phloem tissue
• What is the purpose of the sperm cell?

  sperm cells are the male gametes, made in the testes throughout a man’s life, they are adapted to reach, penetrate and fertilise the egg (ovum/female gamete)
• What is the purpose of the palisade cell?

  most basic plant cell type, contain many chloroplasts and are

  specialised for photosynthesis
• What is the purpose of root hair cells?

  They have thin and long extensions which serve for the purpose of increasing

  surface area and maximising the contact with water which contains essential

  mineral ions which are absorbed through the roots. They are short-lived and are

  constantly produced in the root t
• where are root hair cells normally found?

  in close proximity to root tips
• What is the purpose of the guard cells?

  found in pairs in the epidermis of leaves and are involved in

  controlling the opening and closing of stomata. Guard cells contain chloroplasts

  whereas epidermal cells do not. They respond to water influx which causes them to

  alter their shape, causing stoma to open.