Maciej Chapter 2 Maciej

Question 1

What is a stem cell ?

Answer 1

• A stem cell is an undifferentiated cell of an organism which is capable of:
• -Making copies of itself
• -Differentiating to form different cell types

Question 2

What types of stem cells are there ?

Answer 2

• Embryonic stem cells

- Adult stem cells

Question 3

Describe embryonic stem cells

Answer 3

• Found in embryos
• Often extracted from umbilical cord
• Can differentiate into many cell types

Question 4

Adult stem cells

Answer 4

• Can differentiate into cells of tissue that it cam from

- Extracted from tissue, often extracted from bone marrow

Question 5

Name some uses of stem cells

Answer 5

• Used to treat paralysis in rats

- Used to treat diabetes

Question 6

Were are stem cells found in plants? Give a some information about them

Answer 6

Meristems, can differentiate into any type of plant cell throughout the plants life

Question 7

Why would having your own embryonic stem cells stored be useful ?

Answer 7

If you were to have a serious operation, e.g. organ transplant, stem cells could be used for aid and they would not be rejected by the body

Question 8

Name the stages of the cell cycle

Answer 8

Interphase (G1, S, G2)
M Phase (Mitosis, Cytokinesis)

Question 9

Describe the process of interphase

Answer 9

• Cell prepares to divide
• G1: Cell grows and new organelles and proteins are made
• S: DNA synthesis, DNA is replicated
• G2: Cell keeps growing

Question 10

Describe the process of the M Phase

Answer 10

• Mitosis: Chromosomes become shorter and thicker, they line up at the centre of the cell, they are then pulled to opposite sides if the cell
• Cytokinesis: Cytoplasm divides to produce 2 genetically identical cells

Question 11

What is cloning and how can it be useful ?

Answer 11

Therapeutic cloning:
-Embryo produced with the same genes as the patient, this means the cells will not be rejected by the patients body so they can be used in medical treatment
Plants:
-Can be cloned quickly and economically, may be used to increase yield or to save rare species from extinction
-Plants with specific characteristics such as disease resistance can be cloned to produce large numbers of plants with the characteristic