Biology - Stem Cells
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Stem cells are specialised or unspecialised cells?
Unspecialised cells
Stem cells are differentiated or undifferentiated cells?
Undifferentiated cells.
Describe a specialised cell?
One that is adapted to carry out a particular function (in a multicellular organism).
Where are stem cells found?
In plants and animals.
What is a multicellular cell?
Found in animals, plants and fungi made of more than 1 cell.
What is an unspecialised cell?
A cell with no specific function, but has the potential to turn into different types of cells.
What is meant by differentiation?
The process of an unspecialised cell becoming a specialised one through turning genes on or off.
If cells are adapted to their function, are they called specialised or unspecialised cells?
Specialised.
Define gene
A short section of DNA that carries genetic code to produce a protein.
Give an example of where you might find stem cells?
Early animal embryos (embryonic stem cells)
Embryonic stem cells can produce ANY KIND of specialised cell. True or False?
True
Give 2 functions of a stem cell?
1) Growth and development of organisms.
Stem cells are only found in embryos. True or False?
False. Adults can have stem cells but they’re only found in certain places eg bone marrow (a tissue inside the bone).
Where in adults would you find stem cells?
The bone marrow.
We know that embryonic stem cells can produce ANY kind of specialised cell. Is this true for adult stem cells?
No, adult stem cells can ONLY produce CERTAIN TYPES of specialised cell.
What is the main difference between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells?
Embryonic stem cells can produce any kind of specialised cell but adult cells can only produce certain types of specialised cell.
In animals, what is the purpose of adult stem cells?
To replace damaged cells (e.g to make new skin cells)
What is the name of tissues in plants called?
Meristems
In which part of the plant would you find plant stem cells?
In the meristems e.g. tips of roots and shoots. ( think of a merry stem!)
Where in the plant would you find meristems?
In the areas of plants that are growing
What is the purpose of meristems in a plant?
To produce stem cells that divide and form any cell type in the plant for as long as the plant lives.
Give one potential benefit of human stem cells in medicine
To cure some diseases To replace damaged tissue To grow new cells eg heart cells.
Explain why stem cells are taken from human embryos?
To differentiate into specialised cells to replace different tissues in a patient, eg growing new heart muscle.
Name 3 risks to using stem cells in medicine
To the new patient receiving stem cells - 1) Risk of tumours 2) Infection and disease (if a stem cell contains a virus) 3) Rejection - their immune system may reject and fight off the stem cells.