1. Stem Cell Differentiation
Activity 14
Stem Cell Differentiation

2. BELLRINGER… Name some cells of the human body
All cells have identical DNA…how do you think a cell becomes specialized to do a particular job?
Name some organs of the body
How are cells & organs related?

3. The Organization of Multicellular Organisms
Ask students to name some organs in the human body. Explain that all of these organs are made of specialized tissues and cells.

4. Read the Introduction.
What are stem cells? What is differentiation? Name a condition that results when cells don’t function properly.

5. Cells that have the ability to produce a variety of types of specialized cells are called stem cells.
The process by which stem cells produce specialized cells is called differentiation.

6. Development of Specialized Cells

7. Cell Shape is related to its Function
Look at the pictures of various human body cells
Note the difference in their shape
Discuss with your partner how you think the cell’s shape is related to its function

8. Draw this table in your notebook
BODY CELL
PICTURE
FUNCTION
RED BLOOD CELL
BONE CELL
NERVE CELL
SPERM CELL
SKIN CELL
MUSCLE CELL
(choose either SKELETAL/ SMOOTH/ CARDIAC

9. How do stem cells produce specialized cells?
Challenge
How do stem cells produce specialized cells?

10. Now that you know more about stem cells and differentiation, why do you think scientists think stem cells are the key to replacing diseased or damaged tissues in patients with heart disease, cancer, or diabetes?
Since stem cells are capable of becoming a variety of specialized cells, if these cells can be put into humans who have diseased cells of a given type, they could develop into healthy cells and perhaps treat or prevent a disease.

11. How do stem cells produce specialized cells?
Revisit the Challenge
How do stem cells produce specialized cells?
Stem cells produce specialized cells in developing embryo through a number of cell divisions. Differentiation factors stimulate stem cells to give rise to more differentiated stem cells in a process that ends when a cell has become fully specialized.

12. differentiation stem cells Key Vocabulary
See Teacher Resources III: Literacy for more information on key vocabulary and the most effective strategies to enhance student vocabulary learning.
Note that bold words are formally defined in this activity. Words in regular font are used in the activity, but not formally defined. The definition of a key vocabulary word should not be discussed as a class prior to the formal definition being introduced.