Cell Specialistation

Question 1

What does a cell only produce?

Answer 1

The proteins it needs to carry out its function.

Question 2

When are the cells identical?

Answer 2

Up to the 8-cell stage of the embryo.

Question 3

Why do the cells produced by the division of embryonic stem cells undergo differentiation?

Answer 3

So they can produce specialised cells.

Question 4

What do specialised cells begin to make?

Answer 4

Specific proteins: change shape and structure: muscles cells produce proteins that enable them to contract.

Question 5

Why do embryonic stem cells have the potential to replace cells needed to replace damaged tissues?

Answer 5

Because in embryonic stem cells, any gene can be switched on so they can produce any type of cell.

Question 6

Where are adult stem cells found?

Answer 6

At various locations in the body: bone marrow.

Question 7

Ethical implications of using embryonic stem cells:

Answer 7

• In removing cells, embryo is destroyed
• embryos have right to life when conceived
• creation of embryos produced with intention of destroying them would be even more controversial.

Question 8

Therapeutic cloning overcomes ethical issues of using embryonic stem cells:

Answer 8

• replacing nucleus of an egg by the nucleus of a body cell

- stimulating the egg cell to divide to produce an ‘embryo’.

Question 9

What does therapeutic cloning not need?

Answer 9

Fertilisation so cells will be genetically identical to patients (not rejected bg immune system): ‘embryo’ produced is still destroyed after stem cells are extracted.

Question 10

What have scientists been able to do with mammalian body cells?

Answer 10

Turn them into stem cells: inactive genes in nuclei of body cells have been reactivated: hope is that transformed cells will be able to form cells of all cell types.

Question 11

What is therapeutic cloning?

Answer 11

Using a person’s own cells to produce new tissues/organs: benefit: your cell so no rejection.