Stem Cell and Differentiation DIRECTIONS: This activity has been broken down into five sections. For each section, use your notes and the information from the diagrams to answer the analysis questions. The answers you provide must be: → Written in complete sentences → Supported with evidence. One-sentence answers likely won’t be enough! → Original. Not from the help of Google, AI, or copied from a group member. PART ONE Every cell in your body contains your entire genome. Genes within that genome contain instructions to create specific traits. The model below demonstrates a few of those traits. Part One Analysis Questions The model above shows a strand of DNA with five different segments labeled with traits. What is a genome? (hint: look at your notes!) - Complete set of genetic information What is a gene? - Contains instructions for a specific trait What is a trait? - Something that defines the way you look and how your body works PART TWO When a sperm cell and egg cell combine, a zygote is formed. A zygote will continue to divide and develop through the various stages of embryonic development. Examples of this process can be observed in mammals, (dogs, horses, and humans) reptiles, and amphibians. How did you become this complex, multicellular organism, capable of thought and action? The model below shows a simplified explanation. Part Two Analysis Questions Based on the model, where do stem cells come from? - zygote Based on the model, which cells would be considered unspecialized cells? Explain. - Stem cell, it is still forming special traits Based on the model, which cells would be considered specialized cells? Explain. - Bone, neuron, etc. They have their own special traits Based on the shape of the cells in the model, do you think each one has the same function? Explain. - No, they all need to function different to help your body in certain ways PART THREE What am I looking at? → Model A shows an embryonic stem cell and the possible cells that can arise from it. → Model B shows an epithelial cell and all the possible cells that can arise from it. → Model C shows an adult stem cell and all possible cells that arise from each one. - To specify Model C - each cell that was created is a different type of blood cell. Part Three - Analysis Questions A multipotent cell can’t create all cell types but can create more than just identical copies of itself. Based on the model above, which type of cell would you consider to be multipotent? Explain your answer! - c, it is identical but changes slightly Specialized cells are unipotent, meaning they can only create cells identical to themselves. Based on the model above, which type of cell would you consider to be specialized? Explain your answer! - B, It is completely identical A pluripotent cell has the potential to give rise to any other cell type. Based on the model above, which type of cell would you consider to be pluripotent? Explain your answer! - A, It has every main cell type in the body After a baby is born, there is still blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta. Many parents are freezing their child’s umbilical cord blood because it contains hematopoietic (blood) stem cells. These cells can make every type of blood cell: red, white, and platelets. 1. What type of cells are these hematopoietic (blood) stem cells? - Multipotent 2. Why do you think parents are doing this? What could it be used for in the future? - In case the child is unable to produce cells due to a disease, such as cancer and needs healthy cells PART FOUR Part Four - Analysis Questions According to the graphs above, what do all cell types have in common? - They all have genes Compare the stem cell genes to the other cell types. What do you notice? - Stem has much fewer genes According to the data, what makes a skin cell different from a small intestine or bone cell? - Your body needs more genes for skin cells To turn a stem cell (an unspecialized cell) into a skin cell (a specialized cell), what needs to happen? - You need to have a complete set of genomes Based on the model above, how do cells become specialized if they all have the same DNA? - Because they have the ability to differentiate PART FIVE The model below shows the same segment of DNA found in a skin cell, heart cell, and pancreas cell of the same person. Part Five - Analysis Questions Based on the DNA samples above, do the skin cell, heart cell, and pancreas cell all have the same DNA? Why or not? - Yes, because the bars are identical it is the factors that effect them Based on the model, why do you think specialized cells look different from one another? Explain your answer. - They perform different functions and are different sizes The models above show a process called “gene expression.” Use the models throughout this activity to come up with your answer. → Your answer must be a MINIMUM of 5 sentences and must be original. Answers from Google or AI will not be accepted. - Gene expression is the process of your cells being specialized. The reason that this happens is because your stem cells diversify. There is 3 types and they all have different processes. The little circles are the cells splitting off from the DNA. They take the Genome and access it to create new cells.
