cell differentiation : principles and applications of science

cells and genes

• the nucleus of all human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes
• these chromosomes are made of DNA
• the DNA contains information in the form of genes
• each gene contains a particular characteristic
• genes controls the activities inside the cell
• genes code for production of proteins inside the cell
• these proteins have an effect on function of cells and are often enzymes
• there are approximately 20,000 different genes in a human and all human cells process all 20,000 genes
• in a developing red blood cell the gene for producing haemoglobin (a protein) would be switched on
• in a developing bone cell this same gene is switched off

type of tissues

• epithelial tissue - this is a tissue that either covers or lines an organ for example - blood vessels or the lining of gut
• epithelial tissues forms the inner surface of glads that secrete substances such as sweat and digestive enzymes
• simple epithelial : squamous, cuboid, columnar, ciliated
• muscle tissues : skeletal muscle - movement (attached to the bone)
• cardiac muscle - in the heart
• smooth muscle - in the walls of artery,gut and the bladder
• nervous tissue : transmit nerve impulses to the brain and they are the body’s communication system
• connective tissue : any supporting tissue in an organism
• consists of a non-living supporting matrix ; often containing protein fibers
• living cells are present within in matrix
• these cells often produce the matrix
• includes : bones, cartilages, tendons, ligaments, blood, areolar tissue, adipose tissue
• tendons are attached muscles to the bone
• ligaments also attach to the bone
• areolar tissue holds things together eg: skin and muscle in a chicken
• adipose is a fatty tissue