Embryonic Stem Cells
How do embryonic stem cells become specialised? I know you have to switch certain genes on but how? What is the specialising process called?
It says embryonic stem cells are taken from unused embryos? But what does it mean by unused embryos because how can there be unused embryos, dont they all develop into a fetus?
What is a embryo?
It says embryonic stem cells are taken from unused embryos? But what does it mean by unused embryos because how can there be unused embryos, dont they all develop into a fetus?
What is a embryo?
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by Daydreamer3
How do embryonic stem cells become specialised? I know you have to switch certain genes on but how? What is the specialising process called?
It says embryonic stem cells are taken from unused embryos? But what does it mean by unused embryos because how can there be unused embryos, dont they all develop into a fetus?
What is a embryo?
It says embryonic stem cells are taken from unused embryos? But what does it mean by unused embryos because how can there be unused embryos, dont they all develop into a fetus?
What is a embryo?
The process by which cells become specialised is called differentiation.
When an egg is fertilised, if forms a zygote. The zygote will then divide continuously, by mitosis. Once it reaches eight cells it is called an embryo, and all of the cells are identical. It is these embryonic stem cells which can be differentiated for different uses.
An unused embryo just refers to an embryo that is not being used for pregnancy.
Original post by lizzieerobinson
The process by which cells become specialised is called differentiation.
When an egg is fertilised, if forms a zygote. The zygote will then divide continuously, by mitosis. Once it reaches eight cells it is called an embryo, and all of the cells are identical. It is these embryonic stem cells which can be differentiated for different uses.
An unused embryo just refers to an embryo that is not being used for pregnancy.
When an egg is fertilised, if forms a zygote. The zygote will then divide continuously, by mitosis. Once it reaches eight cells it is called an embryo, and all of the cells are identical. It is these embryonic stem cells which can be differentiated for different uses.
An unused embryo just refers to an embryo that is not being used for pregnancy.
But what is involved in this differentiation process, how does exactly the embryonic stem cells become specialised? So what happens to make them specialised?
How many embryos are there in a pregnancy because how cant it be used if there is only one?
I'm afraid this goes a bit beyond my knowledge, however I believe there are certain conditions under which stem cells become differentiated into specific specialised cells.
There is only one embryo during pregnancy as of course only one egg is released from the ova. However, in processes such as IVF in which multiple eggs are being fertilised with multiple sperm cells there are left over, or unused embryos.
There is only one embryo during pregnancy as of course only one egg is released from the ova. However, in processes such as IVF in which multiple eggs are being fertilised with multiple sperm cells there are left over, or unused embryos.
Original post by Daydreamer3
But what is involved in this differentiation process, how does exactly the embryonic stem cells become specialised? So what happens to make them specialised?
How many embryos are there in a pregnancy because how cant it be used if there is only one?
How many embryos are there in a pregnancy because how cant it be used if there is only one?
The embryonic stem cells can become specialised by gene expression changes (turning genes on and off). Gene expression is pretty complex, but some of the ways genes can be switched on and off are methylation (adding methyl groups to the nucleotides) and transcription factors (molecules which increase/decrease the rate of gene transcription). Methylation is at the epigenetic level (directly affects DNA itself without affecting the sequence), transcription factors affect transcription machinery (affect the molecules that make RNA using DNA as a template).
The embryos usually come from IVF, where more embryos than are required may be made, so instead of simply being disposed of, they can be used for research.
(edited 7 years ago)
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- GCSE Biology
- EPQ Ideas
- GCSE Biology
- Do we need to know this for OCR A alevel biology (cell division)
- Biology - cell differentiation
- Stem Cells topic overlap with A-Level biology.
- MRes Programmes - Faculty of Medical Sciences 2022
- Unit 7 Btec Applied science
- Biochemistry
- Aqa science
- OCR A GCSE Biology Paper 3 Higher Tier [16th May 2023] Exam Chat
- MSc Genes, Drugs and stem cells
- Biosciences masters
- Biology paper 1 2023
- Test revision notes gcse edexcel higher biology
- Exam help gcse bio edexcel
- Personal statement help for biological natural sciences
- biology question
- biomedical science
- biomedical science 21st century medicine module
Latest
Trending
Last reply 15 hours ago
went from 3s to 9s with (literally) night before revision - ask me anythingGCSEs
59
Last reply 16 hours ago
Based on 2023 GCSEs, will grade boundaries be higher or lower in 2024?GCSEs
15
Trending
Last reply 15 hours ago
went from 3s to 9s with (literally) night before revision - ask me anythingGCSEs
59
Last reply 16 hours ago
Based on 2023 GCSEs, will grade boundaries be higher or lower in 2024?GCSEs
15
