Cells
1.State that multicellular organisms show emergent properties These properties arise due to the interaction of component parts. These properties are due to the interaction of component parts. Emergent properties are those where the whole is more than the sum of their parts. Example is the human brain, here the individual neurons are not capable of thought but the communication and cooperation between the neurons makes it possible for the brain to think Multicellular organisms show emergent properties. This means that the organism can achieve more than the sum of what each cell could achieve individually. Explain that cells in multicellular organisms differentiate to carry out specialized functions by expressing some of their genes but not others. Multicellular organisms are made up of many cells, most of which are highly specialized to perform particular function. Every cell contains all the genetic information to carry out every function, only a small portion of the genetic material is activated. A cell in your toes has he information on how to make the pigment which colours your eyes, but will not use it. So cells differentiate by expression of some of their genes and not others. An example of cell specialization is seen in the olfactory receptors ( cells inside the nose) Here one cell will express one gene, and that gene will be responsible for a particular smell. Explain one therapeutic use of stem cells. In stem cell therapy, cells that do not work well are replaced with healthy, functioning cells. The most common example of stem cell therapy is bone marrow transplantation.
Cell in bone marrow produce blood cells. People with leukemia can receive a transplant of healthy, functioning bone marrow which may cure their disease. Cell therapy is also used in experiments to graft new skin cells for people who have been severely burned. Another use is to grow new cornea for people whose eyesight is falling. State that stem cells retain the capacity to divide and have the ability to differentiate along different pathways. Stem cells are unspecialised cells. An embryo is a source of stem cell because the cells can become any type of cell and are totipotent.( capable of differentiation). The cells in zygote is an example of stem cells and can become any type tissue. Another source of stem cells is the umbilical cord of a new born baby. Adults have some stem cells in their bone marrow which can be used to treat disease such as leukemia. Stem cells are different from normal cells in two ways Stem cells are undifferentiated. Stem cells are self-sustaining. They can divide and replicate for long periods of time. The most interesting characteristic of stem cells is their ability to differentiate into specialised cells when given a certain chemical signal. 1.See page 17 in the text book for the difference between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
