Cells: Stem and Specialised Cells

Question 1

Stem cells (function, what they are)

Answer 1

cells in the body that have the potential to turn into anything, such as:
a skin cell, a liver cell, a brain cell, or a blood cell or another stem cell

they are undifferentiated

Question 2

Two types of stem cells

Answer 2

Embryonic Stem Cells:
Pluripotent (can become any type of cell)
Come from embryos, that have been donated by IVF (in-vitro fertilization) clinics with consent of the donors for research

Adult Stem Cells:
Multipotent (can become the type of cell/tissue that they already are)
For example: a liver cell can only become a liver cell
Have been found in the brain, bone marrow, blood vessels, skeletal muscle, skin, teeth, heart, gut, liver, and other (although not all) organs and tissues

Question 3

What is a specialised cell?

Answer 3

a cell that has become differentiated to perform a specific function.

they have special features that allow them to do these jobs.

Question 4

White blood cells

Answer 4

Function: defend the body against infection

They are well suited to this function because they Change shape to engulf pathogens like bacteria and destroy them

Question 5

Red Blood cells

Answer 5

Function: carry oxygen throughout the body

They are well suited to this function because:
they have Large surface area so can carry lots of O2
Don’t have a nucleus, so have more space to carry O2
Biconcave shape, flexible and bendable to fit through tiny blood vessels

Question 6

Sperm Cells

Answer 6

Function: fertilize the egg

They are well suited to this function because:
Has a tail (flagellum), can swim to egg
Contains many mitochondria for energy to be able to swim to the egg

Question 7

Ciliated Epithelial Cells (Cilia)

Answer 7

Function: sweep away secretions, particles, and dust in your airways

They are well suited to this function because:
Contain cilia (hair like structures that move in a sweeping motion) that propels the particles out of your airway, cough it out the particles

Question 8

nerve Cells

Answer 8

Function: transmit electrical impulses throughout the body

They are well suited to this function because:
Long, thin (some are as long as 1m)
Branched ends to send impulses from nerve cell to nerve cell
Covered in fatty coating
that increases speed of
message

Question 9

Fat cells

Answer 9

Fat cells have one important function, which is to store extra energy in the form of fat.

In order to perform this function, they have large storage vacuoles called lipocytes, which fill up with fat until it needs to be used by the body.

Question 10

Muscle cells

Answer 10

Function: force and motion of the body

They are well suited to this function because:
Held in bundles so they can contract
3 types for their function: Cardiac (heart), smooth (lining organs), skeletal(arms/legs)

Question 11

Palisade cells (plant only)

Answer 11

Function: found in plants, absorption of light to do photosynthesis (like solar panels)

They are well suited to this function because:
Closely packed together
Contain many chloroplasts