Chapter 10.4 Flashcards
How do cells become specialized for different functions?
During the development of an organism, cells differentiate into many types of cells
(has become “different” than other cells of the body)
What are stem cells?
The unspecialized cells from which differentiated cells develop. (Also known as totipotent cells)
What are some possible benefits and issues associated with stem cell research?
benefits - research on development, health, treatments for disorders, etc
issues - most techniques for harvesting causes destruction of the embryo. Ethical concerns arise from various societal viewpoints.
What is an embryo?
a developmental stage from which an adult organism is gradually produced
What does differentiation mean?
the process by which cells become specialized for various tasks
What does totipotent mean?
when a cell has the potential to become differentiated into any type of cell in the body
What is a blastocyst?
a hollow ball of cells that develop about 4 days of development of a human embryo
What does pluripotent mean?
cells that can develop into most, but not all of the body’s cell types
What does multipotent refer to?
adult stem cells that have a limited potential to develop into some of the body’s cell types
