Cellular Differentiation (KA4)

Key Area 4

Definition of cellular differentiation

It’s the process by which a cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins characteristic for that type of cell

Cells in multicellular organisms contain the same genes but can become specialised

Explain how differential gene express produces different cell types

Different proteins will be expressed which are characteristics of different cell types

More cells in an organism contains the same genes. Explain why different types of cells produce different proteins and carry out different functions.

Different genes are expressed which are characteristic of specific cell types

State one way that stem cells can be used in scientific research

Testing new drugs

State what it meant by cell differentiation

The process by which an unspecialised cell becomes specialised to carry particular functions by expressing certain genes

Explain why different types of specialised cells can have different structure even though they contain the same genes

Express specific genes characteristic of specific cell types

State what is meant by a stem cell

An unspecialised cell that can differentiate into specialise cells

Differentiation in plants

Plants have meristems which are region of unspecialised cells that can divide

Differentiation in animals

Stem cells are unspecialised cell in animals that can divide

What are the two stem cells of animals

Embryonic and tissue

What are embryonic stem cells

They are cells that can differentiate into any of the cell types that make up the organism

What are embryonic describe as

Pluripotent

what are tissue stem cells involved in

They are involved in the growth repair and renewal of cells found in that tissue

What are tissue stem cells describe as

Multipotent

What is ethical issues

They are embryonic stem cells that can offer effective treatment for disease and injury

What can therapeutic uses stem cells involve

Repair of diseased organs

Finnish the sentence

Each type of human cell has a different structure and function because

Only some of their genes are expressed

New meristem cells would form in addition to shoots.

Name the process responsible for this

Mitosis

Describe a property of embryonic stem cells which makes them useful for research

Can differentiate into any cell type

Suggest an ethical reason why medical research may involve the use of embryonic stem cells

To reduces animal testing

Describe how unspecialised cells in the meristem differentiate into specialised cells

Certain genes that can be expressed