Cell differentiation, division and stem cells

What is mitosis?

The process that replaces worn out/damaged cells and produces 2 genetically identical daughter cells.

What does it mean for 2 cells to be genetically identical?

Each cell has the same genetic information because they are copies of each other. They have the same genome.

Give an example of mitosis.

Human embryonic and foetal development.

What happens to cells as the embryo continues to grow?

The cells divide by mitosis and differentiate to form different tissues and organs.

What is meant by "parent" cells?

The cells that are used for cell division.

What is meant by "daughter" cells?

The new cells produced during cell division.

What happens in stage 1 of the cell cycle?

The cell replicates its DNA ready to form 2 copies of each chromosome. They also increase their sub-cellular structures.

What happens in stage 2 of the cell cycle?

The nucleus divides. Chromosomes are pulled to the opposite ends of the cell by a network of protein fibres and separate.

What happens in stage 3 of the cell cycle?

The cytoplasm and cell membrane also divide to form 2 daughter cells.

What is an alternative name for stage 1 of the cell cycle?

Interphase.

What is an alternative name for stage 2 of the cell cycle?

Mitosis.

What is an alternative name for stage 3 of the cell cycle?

Cytokinesis.

What is a stem cell?

An undifferentiated cell of an organism which is capable of giving rise to many more cells of the same type and can differentiate to form other types of cells.

What is a tissue?

A group of specialised cells with the same structure to carry out the same function.

Unspecialised cells are those with …

No specific function.

Unspecialised cells can …

Turn into different types of cells via differentiation.