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Cell Specialization

Cell Specialization. Cell Specialization. a multicellular organism is a collection of different types of cells doing specialized jobs Although all cells have the same DNA information, they are not all alike .

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Cell Specialization

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  1. Cell Specialization

  2. Cell Specialization • a multicellular organism is a collection of different types of cells doing specialized jobs • Although all cells have the same DNA information, they are not all alike. • Cells develop in different ways to perform particular functions in a process called cell specialization

  3. Stem Cells • Every cell in your body originally came from a small group of stem cells. • A stem cell is an unspecialized cell • Stem cells can form specialized cells when exposed to the proper environmental conditions, or they can remain unspecialized and actively dividing for long periods.

  4. Types of Stem Cells

  5. Embryonic Stem cells • embryonic stem cells are found in embryos. • Embryonic stem cells are able to undergo differentiation • Differentiation means that the cells look different from one another and perform different functions.

  6. Adult Stem cells • Cells with a limited ability to create a variety of cell types. Found in adult organisms • In adult organisms, there are few examples of stem cells; mostly involved in the replacement of damaged tissue. • Found in skin, blood, and neural tissue.

  7. Meristematic Cells • Plant stem cells are called meristematic cells. • They are found in the growing tips of roots and stems and also in a layer in the stem known as the cambium. • Plant meristematic cells are active throughout the life of a plant • they continually produce new cells of various types.

  8. Figure 1.42 Meristematic cells in an onion root tip (magnification 25)

  9. Current Applications of Stem Cells • Recent studies have found that adult stem cells from the tissue of one organ can regenerate tissue in another organ. For example, adult blood stem cells have regenerated liver, kidney, and brain cells. • Current research involves the use of stem cells in the treatment of such diseases as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

  10. Current Applications of Stem Cells • Big controversy about the use of embryonic stem cells • Can harvest a few embryonic stem cells from the umbilical cord or placenta, but to collect larger amounts of embryonic stem cells, it is necessary to destroy the embryo. • http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/stem-cells-breakthrough.html

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