Unit 1.1 Differentiation And Division Of Human Cells

Question 1

What is a somatic cell?

Answer 1

Somatic cells are any cells in the body other than the ones involved in reproduction

Question 2

How do somatic cells divide?

Answer 2

Mitosis

Question 3

What is a germline cell?

Answer 3

Gametes (sperm and ova) and the stem cells which divide to form gametes

Question 4

How do germline cells divide?

Answer 4

Meiosis to for gametes

Mitosis for haploid germline cells

Question 5

What is a stem cell?

Answer 5

A stem cell is an unspecialised cell which can divide to make copies of them selves and or differentiate into specialised cells

Question 6

What is the difference between embryonic and tissue stem cells?

Answer 6

Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, whereas tissue stem cells are multipotent

Question 7

What is cellular differentiation?

Answer 7

Cellular differentiation is when a cell develops more specialised functions by expressing certain genes to produce proteins characteristic for that type of cell

Question 8

What are the therapeutic uses for stem cells

Answer 8

Skin grafts and corneal repair

Question 9

How are cancer cells different from normal cells?

Answer 9

Cancer cells do not respond to regulatory signals

Question 10

How is a secondary tumour formed?

Answer 10

When cells within a tumour fail to attach to each other, they then enter the circulatory system causing them to spread throughout the body