U1 KA4 - Cellular Differentiation Flashcards
What is Cellular Differentiation?
The process by which a cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins characteristic for that type of cell.
This allows a cell to carry out specialised functions.
What are Stem Cells?
Unspecialised cells in animals that can divide (self-renew) and/or differentiate.
There are two types of stem cells: Embryonic and Tissue.
What are the two types of Stem Cells?
- Embryonic Stem Cells
- Tissue Stem Cells
What are Embryonic Stem Cells?
Stem cells that can differentiate into all the cell types that make up the organism and are therefore pluripotent.
All genes in embryonic stem cells can be switched on to differentiate into any type of cell.
What does pluripotent mean?
The ability to differentiate into all cell types.
This term is often used to describe embryonic stem cells.
What are Tissue Stem Cells?
Stem cells involved in the growth, repair, and renewal of the cells found in that tissue. They are multipotent.
They can differentiate into all types of cells found in a particular tissue type.
What does multipotent mean?
The ability to differentiate into multiple types of cells within a specific tissue.
This term is used to describe tissue stem cells.
What are therapeutic uses of stem cells?
Involve the repair of damaged or diseased organs or tissues.
Stem cells from embryos can self-renew under the right lab conditions.
Give an example of a therapeutic use of stem cells.
- Repairing damaged cornea in the eye
- Regenerating skin tissue for burns victims
What are research uses of stem cells?
Involve being used as model cells to study how diseases develop or for drug testing.
Stem cell research provides information on cell processes such as growth, differentiation, and gene regulation.
What are some ethical issues related to the use of embryonic stem cells?
The destruction of embryos, which raises concerns about the destruction of potential life.
What are Meristems?
Regions of unspecialised cells in plants that can divide (self-renew) and/or differentiate.
Where are Apical Meristems located?
Found in the root tip and shoot tip.
They give rise to an increase in length/height.
What are Lateral Meristems also known as?
Cambium.
They are found in vascular bundles between the xylem and phloem.
What do Lateral Meristems give rise to?
Thickening of the plant.
