Unit 1.4 - Cellular Differentiation

Cards (13)

What is cellular differentiation?
The process by which a cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins characteristic for that type of cell. This allows a cell to carry out specialised functions.
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are specialised cells in animals that can divide to make copies of themselves or differentiate into a range of specialised cells.
What are the 2 types of stem cells?
Embryonic stem cells and tissue stem cells.
What does pluripotent mean?
Capable of differentiating into any of the cell types.
What does multipotent mean?
Capable of differentiating into a limited range of cell types
Are embryonic stem cells multipotent or pluripotent?
Pluripotent.
What's special about embryonic stem cell genes?
All the genes can be switched on so they can differentiate into any type of cell
What do tissue stem cells do?
Replenish differentiated cells that need replaced
What are examples of therapeutic uses in stem cells?
Corneal repair for people with eye damage, bone marrow transplants for those with leukemia and skin grafts for burn victims.
What is an example of stem cell research?
Drug testing
What can embryonic stem cells do?
Self renew
Why does embryonic stem cell use cause ethical issues?
It involves the destruction of embryos.
What are meristems?
Unspecialised plant cells