H Biology - Unit 1 - KA4 - Cellular Differentiation

What is cellular differentiation?

Cellular differentiation is the process by which a cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins characteristic for that cell type

What does cellular differentiation allow?

Cellular differentiation allows the cell to carry out a specialised function

What are meristems?

Meristems are regions of unspecialised cells in plants

Where are meristems found?

Meristems are found in plants

What can meristems do?

• Meristems can divide to form more unspecialised cells (self-renew)

• Meristems can differentiate to form specialised cells

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are unspecialised cells in animals

What are the two types of stem cells?

The two types of stem cells are;

• Embryonic stem cells

• Tissue stem cells

What are embryonic stem cells?

Embryonic stem cells are cells in the very early embryo

What characteristic do embryonic stem cells have?

Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent

What does pluripotent mean?

Pluripotent means a cell can differentiate into all the cell types that make up the organism

What are tissue stem cells involved in?

Tissue stem cells are cells involved in growth, repair, and renewal

Where are tissue stem cells found?

Tissue stem cells are found in tissues of the body

What characteristic do tissue stem cells have?

Tissue stem cells are multipotent

What does multipotent mean?

Multipotent means a cell can differentiate into the types of cell found in a particular tissue of origin

What stem cells are found in bone marrow?

Blood stem cells are found in bone marrow

What can blood stem cells do?

Blood stem cells can differentiate into all the types of blood cell

What are the two stem cell uses?

The two stem cell uses are;

• Therapeutic use

• Research use

What is the therapeutic use of stem cells?

The therapeutic use of stem cells is using them to repair damaged or diseased organs and tissues

What are two therapeutic uses of stem cells?

Two therapeutic uses of stem cells are;

• Corneal repair

• Regeneration of damaged skin

What is the research use of stem cells?

The research use of stem cells is using stem cells as model cells to study

What are three research uses of stem cells?

Three research uses of stem cells are using stem cells to study;

• Disease progression

• Drug testing

• Cell processes; cell growth, differentiation, and gene regulation

What is the positive side of the ethical argument regarding the use of embryonic stem cells?

The positive side of the ethical argument is that using embryonic stem cells is an effective way to treat disease and injury

What is the negative side of the ethical argument regarding the use of embryonic stem cells?

The negative side of the ethical argument is that using embryonic stem cells involves destruction of embryos