Cell Differentiation (AQA GCSE Combined Science: Synergy: Life & Environmental Sciences): Revision Note

Stem Cells

• Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can grow and divide to form other types of cell.

• The cells in an early embryo are able to develop into any of the other cells found within the human body

• As the embryo develops, most cells differentiate and become specialised

• During this differentiation process, cells develop different cellular structures which mean that specialised cells are adapted to carry out a particular function

• Differentiation is essential in multicellular organisms (animals and plants) to produce a variety of cell types with different functions

Types of Stem Cell

Embryonic stem cells

• Embryonic stem cells are important as they help to form all of the different tissues and organs needed during development to form a new individual

Adult stem cells

• The role of adult stem cells is predominantly to replace cells lost through damage or to produce new cells for growth – although the bone marrow has to continually make new blood cells throughout life