18 Questions
What is the term for the idea that cells are the basic unit of structure of every living thing?
Cell Theory
Which of the following is NOT a basic function of cells?
Respiration
What is the term for the correlation between the structure of an organism and its function?
Structure-Function Relationship
What is the term for the process of cell division that produces two identical cells?
Mitosis
What is the function of villi in the intestines?
To increase the surface area for diffusion of nutrients
What is the term for the molecules that contain the genetic information from an organism's parents?
DNA
What is the term for the process by which cells become specialized to perform specific functions?
Differentiation
What is the term for the smallest independent units of life?
Cells
What is the primary function of regulatory proteins in the process of cell differentiation?
To bind to DNA and control gene expression
What is the term used to describe the ability of a cell to form all the cells in the body?
Totipotent
What is the purpose of growing embryonic stem cells in a laboratory?
To produce specialised cells for tissue repair
What is the main advantage of using skin grown from stem cells for burn victims?
Less scarring
What is the primary difference between pluripotent and multipotent cells?
Pluripotent cells can form multiple cell types, but are more limited than multipotent cells
What is the purpose of cryogenically preserving cord blood stem cells?
To preserve stem cells for future medical use
What is the primary function of regulatory proteins in a specialised cell?
To control gene expression for specific cell function
What is the term used to describe the process of cells becoming more specialised for a specific function?
Differentiation
What is the main challenge associated with using adult stem cells for medical applications?
The procedure to extract cells is painful
What is the primary reason why some people do not support the use of embryonic stem cells?
The use of unused embryos is considered unethical
Study Notes
Hierarchical Structure of Organisms
- Living things are made of cells, which are the basic unit of structure and function, known as the Cell Theory.
- Cells are the smallest independent units of life and perform various functions such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
- Cells range in size, shape, complexity, and organization, but all have a membrane, ribosomes, cytosol, and genetic material.
Organs and Organ Systems
- Organs are present in both animals and plants, and are composed of functionally related cells.
- Organ systems are higher levels of organization that consist of functionally related organs.
- Mammals have multiple organ systems that work together to ensure successful functioning.
Structure and Function
- The correlation of structure and function is a central theme in biology.
- The structural levels from molecules to organisms ensure successful functioning in all living organisms and living systems.
- Example: The villi in the intestines have a large surface area and are thin to facilitate the diffusion of nutrients into the capillaries.
Stem Cells and Differentiation
- Every cell in the body comes from a single fertilized egg, called a zygote, which contains genetic information from both parents.
- The zygote undergoes mitosis, producing two identical cells, which then divide further to form more cells.
- The DNA contains the code for messenger RNA (mRNA), which codes for proteins, and different parts of the DNA are turned on or off by regulatory proteins.
- Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have the potential to form many other cells.
- Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they can form all the cells in the body, and can be used to form specific tissues.
- Adult stem cells and cord blood stem cells are multipotent, meaning they can develop into more than one cell type, but are more limited than pluripotent cells.
- Stem cells can be used to grow new tissues, which can be used in medicine to replace damaged tissue.
Cellular Differentiation
- As cells continue to divide, they become more specialized, gradually forming more regulatory proteins, which turn off more genes.
- Cells become more specialized for a specific function, and once a cell is specialized, it is very difficult to reverse the process.
- Specialized cells have a specific shape and physiology for their function, due to specific genes being turned off or on by regulatory proteins.
- Examples: Motor neurons have long axons for transmitting nerve impulses, and dendrites to connect to other cells.
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