Cell Development and Gene Expression

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Questions and Answers

What is the common origin of all cells in our body?

Skin cells

Muscle cells

Stem cells (correct)

Nerve cells

What is the role of genes in our DNA?

To regulate body temperature

To provide energy to the cell

To give cells specific instructions on how to make different kinds of proteins (correct)

To store oxygen

What is unique about red blood cells?

They are the largest cells in our body

They are found only in the brain

They are the smallest cells in our body

They lack nuclei (correct)

What is the main idea of the library analogy?

The set of genetic instructions in our DNA is like a library of books Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of having different proteins around in a cell?

The cell's structure and function change Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of stem cells?

To give rise to specialized cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which cells specialize into different things?

Induction Signup and view all the answers

What is the location of our DNA?

In the nucleus of each cell Signup and view all the answers

What is true about somatic cells in our body?

They contain the exact same DNA Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of transcription factors in cell specialization?

To change the gene expression of cells Signup and view all the answers

How can signals be passed during induction?

Through diffusion, direct contact, or gap junctions Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the proteins that make up part of a gap junction?

Connexins Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of cell specialization?

To change gene expression Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a body part formed through induction?

Eye Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which cells become more specialized?

Differentiation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of induction in embryological development?

To form body parts Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe when a cell is actively using certain genes?

Gene expression Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a stem cell turning on its muscle cell genes?

The cell becomes a muscle cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the process by which a cell becomes specialized into a specific cell type?

Differentiation Signup and view all the answers

What determines what genes are turned on or off in a given cell?

Both internal and external cues Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of transcription factors in the development of organisms?

To activate certain genes Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the mechanism by which transcription factors are distributed unevenly among daughter cells?

Asymmetric segregation of cellular determinants Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a stem cell differentiating into a specialized cell type?

The cell becomes specialized and can't de-differentiate Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the distribution of transcription factors in a zygote?

They are clustered in one area Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of MRNA in the development of organisms?

To provide precursors for transcription factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of asymmetric segregation of cellular determinants?

To allow cells to differentiate into different cell types Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stem Cells and Specialization

All cells in the human body, including muscle cells, nerve cells, skin cells, and red blood cells, come from a common group of stem cells during development.
Stem cells are completely unspecialized, but they can differentiate into specialized cells.
The process of specialization is similar to a library system, where cells "read" different "books" (genes) in the DNA library to create different proteins and abilities.

Gene Expression and Proteins

Genes in the DNA library give cells specific instructions on how to make different kinds of proteins.
Having different proteins changes the way cells look and act, giving them different abilities.
When a cell is actively using certain genes, it's said to be expressing those genes, and the gene is "turned on".
A gene not being expressed is "turned off".

Stem Cell Differentiation

In order to differentiate, stem cells turn on specific genes and turn off others, leading to the creation of proteins that change the cell's appearance and function.
For example, a stem cell may turn on muscle cell genes, leading to the creation of contractile proteins, making it a muscle cell.
Once a stem cell specializes into a mature cell type, it cannot de-differentiate into a stem cell or another cell type.

Cell Specialization Cues

Cells decide what to specialize into based on internal or external cues from their environment.
Two major ways cells receive cues are:
- Asymmetric segregation of cellular determinants: transcription factors are clustered in certain areas of the cell and are distributed unevenly during cell division, leading to different genes being activated in different cells.
- Inductive signaling or induction: cells or groups of cells can induce nearby cells to differentiate through signals, which can be passed through diffusion, direct contact, or gap junctions.

Importance of Induction

Induction is key in forming many body parts, such as limbs, ears, and eyes, during embryological development.
The goal of cellular differentiation is to change gene expression, turning on or off certain genes, which ultimately leads to cells differentiating into more specialized cells.

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Description

Learn about stem cells, their specialization, and the process of gene expression that leads to the creation of different proteins and cells in the human body.