1.4 - Cellular Differentiation Flashcards
What is Cellular differentiation?
The process where a cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins characteristics for that type of cell
What does Cellular differentiation allow?
It allows a cell to carry out specialised functions
What is a Meristem?
Meristems are regions of unspecialised cells in plants that can divide (self-renew) and/or differentiate
What are Embryonic stem cells?
Cells in the very early embryo that can differentiate into all cell types that make up the organism, making them pluripotent
What are Tissue stem cells?
Tissue stem cells are involved in the growth, repair and renewal of the cells found in that tissue, making them multipotent
What are examples of Therapeutic uses of stem cells?
Corneal Repair
Skin Grafts
What are examples of Research uses of stem cells?
-Used as model cells to study how disease develops
-Drug testing
What is the Ethical issue of using embryonic stem cells?
It involves the destruction of embryos, which some view as a potential life
