Cell Specialization and Stem Cells

Flashcards about cell specialization, stem cells and SA:V ratios.

Cell Specialization

The evolution of multicellular organisms allowed for cells to take on specific roles.

Cell Differentiation

Unspecialized cells are produced following fertilization and develop into specialized cells.

Stem Cell Properties

The capacity of cells to divide endlessly and differentiate along different pathways.

Stem Cell Niches

Bone marrow and hair follicles maintain cells or promote their proliferation and differentiation.

Stem Cell Potency

Early-stage animal embryos cells that can become pluripotent, whereas stem cells in adult tissue are multipotent.

Cell Size

The range of cell size in humans, including male and female gametes, red and white blood cells, neurons, and striated muscle fibres.

Surface area-to-volume ratios

The mathematical ratio between volume and surface area and that exchange of materials across a cell surface depends on its area whereas the need for exchange depends on cell volume.

Cell Specialization and Organization

Multicellular organisms are made up of many cells and these cells differentiate to form specialised tissues and organs. Each organ and tissue carrying out a specific function.

Stem Cell Potency Types

Totipotent cells can differentiate into any type of cell, pluripotent cells can differentiate into many types of cells, and multipotent cells can differentiate into a limited number of cell types.

Stem Cell Niche Location

Stem cell niches are found in bone marrow and hair follicles.

Cell Size and Specialization

The size, shape and specific function of a cell is therefore an adaptation to the job it has to carry out.

Cell Size Constraints

The rate at which substances enter, pass and leave the cell must be optimized.

Cell Volume Function

The volume of a cell acts as a place for the transport of materials and metabolic processes.

Cell Surface Area Function

The surface area of a cell acts as a place for exchange of heat and materials.

SA:V Ratio and Size

As the size of a structure increases the surface area to volume ratio decreases.

SA:V Ratio and Heat Loss in Animals

Small animals lose heat quickly because their surface area is very big in relation to their volume.

SA:V Ratio and Metabolic Rate

As an organism’s size increases, its metabolic rate must decrease.

SA:V Ratio and Heart Rate

Large surface area compared to a small volume could be linked to a high heart rate at rest to compensate for the rapid heat loss.