Key Area 1.4 Cellular differentiation Flashcards Preview

Higher Biology Unit 1 > Key Area 1.4 Cellular differentiation > Flashcards

Flashcards in Key Area 1.4 Cellular differentiation Deck (15)
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1
Q

What is cellular differentiation?

A

The process in which an unspecialised cell becomes specialised by expressing genes for that cell type

2
Q

What is selective gene expression?

A

Once a cell differentiates it only expresses the genes that produce the proteins characteristic for that type of cell

3
Q

What are stem cells?

A

Unspecialised cells in animals

4
Q

What are the 2 main types of stem cells?

A

Embryonic stem cells and adult tissue stem cells

5
Q

What makes embryonic stem cells different to adult stem cells?

A

Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into all types of cells

6
Q

What are embryonic stem cells said to be?

A

Pluripotent

7
Q

Where are embryonic stem cells received from?

A

Embryos

8
Q

Where are adult stem cells received from?

A

Tissues and organs of adults and children

9
Q

What makes adult stem cells different to embryonic?

A

Adult stem cells can only differentiate into cells closely related to where they are found

10
Q

What are adult stem cells said to be?

A

Multipotent

11
Q

Name 2 therapeutic uses of stem cells.

A

Treating leukaemia by replacing cancerous bone barrow with the bone marrow of a healthy donor.
Treating severe burns by growing sheets of skin made from a patients own stem cells and using these for grafts.

12
Q

How can stem cell research be used?

A

Can be used for drug testing, Study diseases and their development and teach us about processes like differentiation and gene regulation.

13
Q

What are some ethical issues involving stem cells?

A

The use of embryonic stem cells is controversial as it involves the destruction of a human embryo.

14
Q

What are meristems?

A

Unspecialised plant cells

15
Q

What do meristems do?

A

Meristem can divide into more meristematic cells or become a specialised plant cell