Cell Differentiation and Stem Cells

• What is the process by which cells become specialised for their job?

  Differentiation
• Why do most ground cells lose the ability to differentiate at an early stage?

  Because they become specialised for specific functions
• How do plant cells differ from most ground cells regarding differentiation?

  Many plant cells retain the ability to differentiate throughout their life
• What is required for healing in organisms?

  Cells need to be available to work efficiently
• What are examples of specialised cells in plants and animals?

  • Palisade leaf cells (plants)
  • Sperm cells (animals)
• What are stem cells?

  Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can become specialised
• What can stem cells do when given the right instructions?

  They can divide by mitosis and then differentiate
• Where are embryonic stem cells found?

  In early human embryos
• Why are embryonic stem cells important?

  They have the potential to form any kind of cell
• What is the role of adult stem cells?

  They replace damaged cells in specific tissues
• How do adult stem cells differ from embryonic stem cells?

  Adult stem cells can only differentiate into certain cell types
• Where are adult stem cells primarily found?

  In certain places like bone marrow
• What is the function of adult stem cells in animals?

  To make new skin or blood cells
• Where are plant stem cells found?

  In plant tissues called meristems
• What is the role of meristem tissue in plants?

  It produces unspecialised cells that can divide
• What types of cells can meristems produce?

  Any cell type in the plant
• How do plant stem cells differ from human stem cells in terms of division?

  Plant stem cells can divide to generate any type of cell for as long as the plant lives
• What can unspecialised cells in plants become?

  They can become specialised and form tissues like xylem and phloem
• What is the significance of stem cells in organisms?

  They are important for growth and development
• What is the question posed at the end of the study material?

  What is differentiation?