Flashcards · Biology · Cell Division

Stem Cells

19 cards

What is a stem cell?

An undifferentiated cell that can divide to make more cells of the same type, and can differentiate into specialised cells.
What does undifferentiated mean?

Not yet specialised for any one job.
What is differentiation?

The process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its job.
Where are stem cells found in an embryo?

The whole early embryo is made of stem cells, which can differentiate into most types of human cell.
What can stem cells from human embryos become?

Most different types of human cell.
Where are stem cells found in an adult human?

In places such as the bone marrow.
What can adult bone marrow stem cells form?

Many types of cell, including blood cells.
What is the job of stem cells in adult animals?

To replace worn-out cells and repair damaged tissue.
What are meristems?

Tissues in plants that contain stem cells.
Where are meristems found in a plant?

At the tips of the shoots and the tips of the roots.
What can meristem cells become?

Any type of plant cell, throughout the life of the plant.
Why can a plant keep growing all its life?

Its meristems keep dividing and differentiating throughout its life.
Why do embryonic stem cells have more uses than adult stem cells?

They can become most types of cell, while adult stem cells can become fewer types.
Which has more types of cell it can make: an embryonic or an adult stem cell?

An embryonic stem cell.
Can a specialised cell such as a red blood cell become any other cell?

No. It has already differentiated, which is why stem cells matter.
What can the cell marked X do?

It is a stem cell. It can divide to make more stem cells, and it can differentiate into specialised cells.
Name this cell and the cells it can become.
What is the structure marked X in this plant, and what is its job?

A meristem at a root tip. Its stem cells divide and differentiate, so the root keeps growing.
Where are the meristems in this plant?