Term Definition

Cells The smallest structural and functional unit of an organism

First used by Robert Hooke

Resolution The ability to distinguish between two points lying close together

Magnification Mea su red

Act u al
Emergent Properties Different cell types interact with each other to allow more complex functions to
take place (Multicellular organisms show emergent properities)

Differentiation Involves expressing some genes but not others, specialise in a particular function

Stem cells Cells that are undifferentiated and retain their ability to divide and differentiate
into specialised cells

Outline the cell theory

- Living things are composed of cells
- Cells are the basic unit of life
- Cells come from pre-existing cells

Exceptions to cell theory

- Skeletal muscles are larger
- Fungal hyphen are not divided into individual cells
- Unicellular organisms are considered acellular, as they carry out all functions of life
- Xylem in trees
- Most tissues are composed entirely of true cells

Arrange in increasing size

Molecules < Membrane thickness < Viruses < Bacteria < Organelles < Cells

Functions of life (MR GRENH)

- Metabolism- Chemical reactions inside the cell, including cell respiration to release energy
- Reproduction- Producing offspring either sexually or asexually
- Growth- An irreversible increase in size
- Response- The ability to react to changes in the environment
- Excretion- Getting rid of the waste products of metabolism
- Nutrition- Obtaining food, to provide energy and the materials needed for growth
- Homeostasis- Keeping conditions inside the organism within tolerable limits

Advantages and disadvantages of using an electron microscope

- Greater resolution and higher magnification
- Preparation and vacuum might damage their structure
- Specimens are always dead, no cell activity
- No colour of materials
Explain the importance of surface area to volume ratio as a factor limiting
cell size
- The rate of material exchange is proportional to surface area
- Rate of metabolism is proportional to volume
- As a cell grows, the volume increases faster than the surface area
- Material cannot be exchanged fast enough to meet the needs of the cell

Outline the significance of the relationship between the surface area and
volume of a cell
- The greater the volume the smaller the ratio of surface area to volume
- Rate of production of waste is a function of its volume
- Smaller calls are more efficient at exchanging materials
- Ratio limits the size of the cell

Outline one therapeutic use of stem cells

- Source: Stem cells obtained from bone marrow
- Condition: Leukaemia
- Detail: Patient’s bone marrow cells are killed and replaced with stem cells

Describe the importance of stem cells in differentiation

- Stem cells are undifferentiated cells
- Embryo cells are stem cells
- Stem cells can differentiate in may ways
- Differentiation involves expressing some genes but not others
- Stem cells can be used to repair tissues

Describe the characteristics of stem cells that make them potentially

useful in medicine
- Stem cells retain the capacity to divide
- Can be used to produce larger number of identical cells
- They can be used to repair tissues
- They are undifferentiated
- Can differentiate to form a variety of different tissues
- Used in medical research and treatment of Leukaemia

Discuss the ethical issues involved in stem cell research

- Diseases could be cured
- Less cost than treating disease
- Patient groups support use of embryonic stem cells but religious groups oppose
- Restriction on research in some countries due to cultural traditions
- Risk to patients (Stem cells turning into tumours)
- Death of embryos, but use of adult stem cells could overcome these objections