b1 - cell biology

• the process of becoming a specialised cell

  • the process is called differentiation
  • cells change and develop different subcellular structures
  • they turn into differnt types of cells to carry out specific functions
• a stem cell can become any type of cell
• stem cells are found in the embryo, bone marrow and blood
• embryonic stem cells have the potential to develop into all types of body tissue
• stem cells are undifferentiated, meaning they have not yet developed the characteristics of a particular type of cell.
• embryonic stem cells have the potential to form all tissues and organs
• adult stem cells only produce certain types of cells
• differentiation occurs when a stem cell becomes a more specialised cell with its own unique structure and function
• specialisation means that some cells lose their ability to divide but gain other features such as organelles or enzymes needed for their role
• differentiation occurs when a stem cell becomes a more specialised cell
• specialisation means that the cell has developed new organelles or changed its existing ones so it can perform a particular function
• adult stem cells only have the ability to produce certain types of cells
• differentiation occurs when an unspecialised cell becomes a specialised cell
• in an adult organism, stem cells are found in small numbers throughout the body
• nucleolus is where ribosomes are made
• the nucleus is surrounded by a double membrane called the nuclear envelope
• adult stem cells only give rise to certain types of cells
• cell differentiation is controlled by genes that turn on or off during development
• chromatin is DNA wrapped around proteins
• cell differentiation is controlled by genes which turn on and off during development
• cell differentiation is controlled by genes which turn on/off during development
• the process of cell division involves mitosis (division of cytoplasm) and cytokinesis (separation of nuclei)
• gene expression refers to how much protein is produced from a specific gene
• cell differentiation is controlled by genes which are switched on or off depending on what type of cell is being formed
• the process of differentiation involves changes in gene expression, protein synthesis and cell shape
• stem cells are undifferentiated, meaning they do not have any specific functions yet
• embryonic stem cells are found in embryos, they can develop into any type of body cell
• the process of differentiation involves changes in gene expression which lead to structural and functional differences between cells
• embryonic stem cells are found in embryos, they can develop into any type of body cell
• stem cells are undifferentiated cells which can differentiate (become) into many different types of cells
• root hair cells

  • absorb water and mineral
  • grow into long hairs to stick into the soil
  • gives plant a big surface area for absorbing water and minerals from the soil
• xylem vessels transport water and minerals up the plant
• phloem tubes transport sugars down the plant
• the xylem transports water and minerals up the stem
• sperm cells

  • takes male DNA to the egg
  • has a tail to help it swim
  • lots of mitochondria to provide energy for swimming
• muscle cells

  • they contract
  • are long so they have space to contract
  • have lots of mitochondria
• nerve cells

  • carry electrial signals around the body
  • long to cover more distance in the body
  • branches to connect new cells
• pholem cells

  • transport food
  • long and joined end to end
  • are hollow and have subcellular structures
  • lots of space inside for stuff to flow through
• xylem cells

  • transport water
  • long and joined end to end
  • hollow and have subcellular structures
  • lots of space inside for stuff to flow through them
• process of diffferntation

  • mostly occurs when an organism develops
  • animal cells can only differntiate at early stages of life
  • plants cells can change for the whole plants life
  • cells that are undifferntaited are stem cells