Cell differentiation and stem cells

• What is differentiation in the context of cell biology?

  Differentiation is the process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its job.
• How does the ability to differentiate differ between animal and plant cells?

  Most animal cells lose the ability to differentiate at an early stage, while many plant cells retain this ability.
• Why is having specialised cells important for organisms?

  Having specialised cells allows organisms to work more efficiently.
• What are palisade leaf cells specialised for?

  • They do most of the photosynthesis in plants.
  • Packed with chloroplasts.
  • Tall shape for increased surface area to absorb CO₂.
  • Thin shape allows for more cells to fit near the light.
• What are the key features of sperm cells that aid in reproduction?

  • Long tails and streamlined heads for swimming.
  • Lots of mitochondria for energy.
  • Enzymes in heads to digest through the egg cell membrane.
• How are specialised cells organized in multicellular organisms?

  • Specialised cells group together to form tissues.
  • Different tissues work together to form organs.
  • Different organs make up an organ system.
• What are stem cells?

  Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can divide and differentiate into new cells.
• Where are embryonic stem cells found and what is their potential?

  Embryonic stem cells are found in early human embryos and can form any kind of cell.
• How do adult stem cells differ from embryonic stem cells?

  Adult stem cells are found in certain places like bone marrow and can only become certain types of cells.
• What is the role of adult stem cells in the body?

  Adult stem cells are used to replace damaged cells, such as making new skin or blood cells.
• Where are meristems found in plants?

  Meristems are found in the areas of a plant that are growing, such as the roots and shoots.
• 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 type of cells do meristems produce?

  Meristems produce unspecialised cells that can divide and form any cell type in the plant.
• What types of tissues can unspecialised cells from meristems become?

  Unspecialised cells can become specialised and form tissues like xylem and phloem.
• What are the key differences between embryonic and adult stem cells?

  • Embryonic stem cells:
  • Found in early embryos.
  • Can form any type of cell.

  
  

  • Adult stem cells:
  • Found in specific locations like bone marrow.
  • Limited to certain cell types from their original tissue.