Download Cellular specialization and differentiation

Cellular specialization and
differentiation
Warm Up: Define specialization in your own
words. Provide an example. (It doesn’t have to
be an example from biology).
Objectives:
§ Describe the process of differentiation.
§ Define stem cells and explain their
importance.
§ Identify the possible benefits and issues
relating to stem cell research.
Differentiation:
the process through which cells
become specialized for specific
functions
Plants have 3 major tissue types
each with specialized cells
Photosynthesis
Sugar storage
Material transport
(minerals and
water)
Organization of Life
Cell type: Neuron
Cell type: Immune System
How do cell types acquire
their unique identity?
§ Gene expression
§ Only certain genes are
turned on in each specific
cell type
Cell specialization in the human
body is usually due to:
§ A. Different cells exhibiting different
patterns of gene expression.
§ B. Different cells containing different
and unique DNA sequences.
Development….
Stages of development
Stem cells are present in the
blastula
An embryonic stem cell has the
potential to become any other
type of cell. This cell type is
TOTIPOTENT!
Work in lab groups at the benches:
§ You will find modeling dough on the
benches.
§ Research your assigned cell type.
§ Make a model. Pay attention to how the
structure of the cell gives function to the
cell. What tissue does your cell build?
§ You will present your model to the class!
Can anyone guess what this
embryo is turning into?
http://ktla.com/2014/11/18/ucla-stem-cellresearcher-cures-children-with-bubblebaby-disease/
Promise and potential…