Cell Differentiation and Specialized Cells

Cell Differentiation and Specialized Cells

​Write the following questions down with a 2 spaces between them so you have room to answer.

​1. How did your body begin?

​2. What do cells need to do to form different tissues?

​3. What is cell differentiation?

​4. Do different kinds of cells have different DNA?

​5. How do cells function differently?

​6. Can cells change once they differentiate?

​7. What are stem cells?

Your body began as a single fertilized egg.

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If that egg cell simply divided to make lots of identical cells, it would not form a baby. To form all of the different tissues that make up your body, cells need to specialize, or develop specific shapes and functions.

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For example, some cells become skin cells and others become stomach cells. Cell differentiation* is the process by which unspecialized cells develop into their specialized forms.​

​Specialized cells perform specific functions

​Cell Differentiation

​So why do stomach cells function differently than skin cells? They do not have different DNA. Almost all cells in your body have the same full set of DNA.

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Different types of cells simply use different genes contained in the DNA. Skin cells use one part of the DNA information—for skin cells—and stomach cells use a different part of the DNA information— for stomach cells.

​Stem cells can develop into different cell types

​Once a cell differentiates, it stays in its specialized form. For example, once a cell becomes a stomach cell, it cannot turn into another type of cell. 

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Stem cells are a special type of body cell that can develop into different types of cells.

​Stem cells can:

​Divide and renew themselves for a long period of time.

​

Remain undifferentiated, or develop into many different types of specialized cells.

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When a stem cell divides, it forms either two stem cells or one stem cell and one specialized cell.

Multiple Choice

Why do stomach cells function differently than skin cells?

• They contain entirely different DNA

• They use different genes in the DNA

Multiple Choice

 

 

What type of cells are these? They are responsible for sending messages and communication!!

• Neurons

• Blood

• Bone

• Skin

Multiple Choice

What type of cells are these? They are part of the OUTER LAYER of your body!

• Lung

• Skin

• Stomach

• Bone

Multiple Choice

What type of cells are these? They are part of the skeletal system.

• Liver

• Blood

• Stomach

• Bone

Multiple Choice

What type of cells are these? They are responsible for MOVEMENT!

• Liver

• Blood

• Muscle

• Skin

Multiple Choice

What type of cells are these? They make up your circulatory system and carry oxygen in your body.

• Skin

• Blood

• Liver

• Lung

Multiple Choice

What type of cells are these? They make up your digestive system and help break down food.

• Red Blood

• Intestinal

• White Blood

• Bone

Multiple Choice

What type of cells are these? They are part of the immune system and help fight off infection.

• Red Blood Cells

• Fur Balls

• Liver Cells

• White Blood Cells

Multiple Choice

True or False: There are over 20 trillion cells in our bodies and they are all working together to help us function!

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What is cell differentiation?

• Process by which cells produce MORE cells.

• Process by which cells become UNSPECIALIZED

• Process by with cells become SPECIALIZED

• Process by which cells become old and DIE

Multiple Choice

What is one goal of cellular differentiation?

• To create many identical copies of cells.

• To make stem cells for use in the future.

• To make single-celled organisms.

• To make specialized cells to maintain homeostasis.

Multiple Choice

Stem cells are cells that...

• grow uncontrollably

• are undifferentiated

• never divide