Question

A couple has just found out that they are expecting a child. As the pregnancy progresses from a fertilized egg to a baby, many stages of growth and development have to take place. In the space below, explain the role cellular division and differentiation play in producing a complex organism such as this baby.

a) Cellular division and differentiation play no role in the development of a complex organism.
b) Cellular division is responsible for growth, while differentiation is essential for maintaining the complexity of the organism.
c) Cellular division is crucial for creating identical cells, while differentiation ensures the cells specialize into specific tissues and organs.
d) Cellular division and differentiation work together: division provides the necessary cells, and differentiation ensures they develop into various specialized cell types, tissues, and organs.

Answer 1

The development of a complex organism from a fertilized egg involves cellular division for growth and cellular differentiation for specialization of cells into various tissues and organs. Stem cells and transcription factors play key roles in enabling these processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The development of a complex organism such as a human from a fertilized egg into a baby is a process that involves both cellular division and differentiation. The correct answer to the question would be (d) Cellular division and differentiation work together: division provides the necessary cells, and differentiation ensures they develop into various specialized cell types, tissues, and organs. Cellular division is the process by which a single cell, the zygote, divides to produce more cells, aiding in growth and development. As the organism develops, cellular differentiation allows these cells to become specialized, taking on distinct functions and characteristics. This includes the development of various cell types such as nerve cells, muscle cells, and epithelial cells, which are essential for the multicellular organism to function.

Stem cells play a crucial role in this process as they are unspecialized cells that can both divide and differentiate into different cell types. Regulated cellular division ensures that tissues can be repaired and regenerated throughout the organism's life. Transcription factors are important in cellular differentiation because they influence gene expression, allowing cells to assume their unique morphological and physiological characteristics.