B2.2-4 Stem Cells

Question 1

What are the two key features of stem cells ?

Answer 1

Able to differentiate into specialised cells
Divide by mitosis to form more cells

Question 2

What are the two main types of stem cells in animals

Answer 2

Embryonic and adult stem cells

Question 3

What is so important about embryonic stem cells?

Answer 3

Can differentiate into any type of cell eg nevre, blood or skin cell

Question 4

What is important about adult stem cells and where are they found?

Answer 4

Found in bone marrow they divide by mitosis and can only differentiate into different types of blood cells

Question 5

What is the type of stem cell found in plants ?

Answer 5

Meristem cells

Question 6

Where are meristem cells found and what can they be used for?

Answer 6

Found in the roots and shoots of a plant
Exist for the plants entire life and can differentiate into cells and tissues a plant needs

Question 7

What are some pros and cons of embryonic stem cells ?

Answer 7

Pros: can form any specialised cell, medical uses
Cons: only available during development, ethics concerns and expensive

Question 8

What are some pros and cons of adult stem cells?

Answer 8

Pros: can give rise to many of the same cell
Cons: only differentiate into blood cells limiting its usages

Question 9

What are some pros and cons of meristem cells and cloning plants?

Answer 9

Pros: identical, large number of crops, easy to do and useful for medical research
Cons: reduces variation in plant population leaving them possibly susceptible to disease

Question 10

What are some differences between stem cells and Meristem cells?

Answer 10

Stem cells
Embryonic
Permanent differentiation
Meristem cells
Through out plants life
Reversible