stem cells

Question 1

stem cells

Answer 1

Cells which can divide and differentiate into different types of cells. Can divide for organisms whole life time

Question 2

totipotent

where are they found?

Answer 2

stem cells that can differentiate into any type of specialised cell e.g placental cells
- found in mammalian embryos

Question 3

pluripotent
found in?
what can’t they form?

Answer 3

can differentiate into many types of specialised cells

• embryos
• can’t form placental cells

Question 4

multipotent

example:

Answer 4

can differentiate into a few types of specialised cells

e.g bone marrow–> RBC + WBC’S

Question 5

unipotent

example:

Answer 5

can form 1 type of specialised cell

e.g heart unipotent cells can regenerate cardiomycetes

Question 6

what affects cell specialisation/differentiation

what affects gene expression?

Answer 6

• all cells have 100% of organisms DNA
• internal conditions in cells control which genes are expressed into proteins e.g into transcription factors which change the internal environment of cells affecting their specialisation