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9th grade How cells specialize, and what stem cells are worksheet

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How cells specialize, and what stem cells are

Grade 9 Science Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

  1. Read this first

    Cycle wheel (model, not to scale), clockwise from the top

    G1, S, G2, mitosis (M), cytokinesis. A side branch labeled G0 leaves the wheel near the start of G1. A branch leaves the wheel at G0 and ends at a drawn cell A. Cell A has a round body with a nucleus, branching projections and one long projection.

  2. Ari follows a side branch from the wheel to cell A. What does taking this branch show?

    • The cell swaps its DNA for new DNA that fits the job
    • The cell stays ready to divide into any other kind of cell
    • The cell copies its DNA again and divides into two identical cells
    • The cell leaves the cycle and becomes specialized, with a shape for its job
  3. Cycle wheel (model, not to scale), clockwise from the top

    G1, S, G2, mitosis (M), cytokinesis. A side branch labeled G0 leaves the wheel near the start of G1. Two branches leave the wheel after G1. Branch A ends at a flat, round cell A with a small nucleus in the middle. Branch B ends at a tall, narrow cell B with its nucleus near the bottom end.

  4. Bo compares cells A and B, which both came from one G1 cell. What do the nuclei of A and B share?

    • The same genes switched on, so they do the same job
    • The same DNA, copied from the cell they both came from
    • The same shape, because both started as one cell
    • Different DNA, because their shapes are different
  5. Cycle wheel (model, not to scale), clockwise from the top

    G1, S, G2, mitosis (M), cytokinesis. A side branch labeled G0 leaves the wheel near the start of G1. The wheel is a dividing cell in a root tip. A branch leaves the wheel after G1 and ends at a drawn cell A that carries water and minerals up the plant.

  6. Esme reads a wheel for a cell in a root tip. A branch leads to cell A, which carries water up the plant. What does the root tip do?

    • Its cells keep their first shape, so no new tissues form
    • It makes no new cells, because plants have no cells that divide and specialize
    • Its cells divide, and some of the new cells specialize, such as into xylem
    • Its specialized cells divide into any other kind of plant cell
  7. “Drawn cell (model, not to scale):” Jun studies a drawn cell that is long and striped, with many nuclei along its edge. Which job fits this cell?

    • Sending signals, since any long cell is a nerve cell
    • Covering a surface as a thin sheet
    • Contracting to move the body
    • Carrying oxygen to tissues
  8. Use this

    Drawn cell (model, not to scale): a round cell body with a nucleus in the middle, several short branching projections on one side, and one long projection on the other.

  9. Kira studies a drawn cell with a round body, branching projections on one side and one long projection. Which job fits?

    • Receiving and sending signals
    • Carrying oxygen to tissues
    • Covering a surface as a thin sheet
    • Contracting to move the body
  10. Luz says cells A and B do the same job because both are 8 µm wide. What is the best reply?

    • Yes, cells of the same width do the same job
    • Size is one clue, but shape and features also show a cell's job
    • Yes, a nucleus in the cell means the same job
    • No, cells of the same width must have different DNA
  11. Two body cells (model data)

    cellhas a nucleus
    nerve cellyes
    muscle cellyes
  12. Milo learns that a nerve cell and a muscle cell from one person each have a nucleus. What is true of the DNA in their nuclei?

    • Just the muscle cell's nucleus holds DNA
    • Both cells use their whole set of genes at once
    • Each cell has its own DNA, matching its job
    • It is the same set of DNA instructions in both
  13. model, not to scale. Pia says every body cell has a nucleus full of DNA. Which drawn cell is an exception?

    • Cell D, the disc-shaped cell
    • Cell C, the branching cell
    • Cell B, the long striped cell
    • Cell A, the flat cell
  14. Flash card (not to scale)

    The front reads: adult bone marrow holds stem cells that make platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells. The back is blank.

  15. Tala says only young children have stem cells. A card says adult bone marrow holds stem cells that make blood cells. What is true?

    • Adult stem cells exist but cannot give rise to other cells
    • Adults have stem cells too, such as the ones in bone marrow
    • Adults lose their stem cells; young children keep theirs
    • Bone marrow cells are already specialized and cannot divide
  16. The front reads: apical meristem. The back is blank. Zee wants to find a plant's apical meristems. Where should the search start?

    • Along the sides of stems, where the plant thickens
    • Nowhere; plants get longer as existing cells stretch
    • At the tips of the shoots and the roots
    • In the leaves, where sugars are made
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9th grade How cells specialize, and what stem cells are worksheet – printable
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About this worksheet

How cells specialize, and what stem cells are. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

  • I can say that body cells that have a nucleus carry the same DNA, and that different cell types switch on different genes (gene expression), so a gene that is off is still in the DNA.
  • I can say that specializing (differentiation) changes a cell's size, shape and job, and I can match a drawn cell's visible features (long and striped with many nuclei; branching projections and one long projection; flat with a small central nucleus; tall and narrow) to its job.
  • I can name the exception: a mature red blood cell of a mammal has lost its nucleus, so it lacks the usual chromosomes and cannot switch genes on.
  • I can say what a stem cell is: unspecialized, able to divide (including to make more stem cells) and able to give rise to specialized cells.
  • I can say that adults have stem cells: bone marrow stem cells give rise to platelets and blood cells, and skin epithelial stem cells give rise to keratinocytes.
  • I can say what multipotent means (a limited range of related cell types, not every kind) and that stem cells from umbilical cord blood are multipotent.

Standard: HS-LS1-4

Words to know

differentiation: The process by which an unspecialized cell becomes a specialized cell

specialized cell: A cell whose shape and features suit one job

gene: A piece of DNA holding the instructions for one protein

gene expression: Using a gene: switching it on to make RNA and then a protein

on / off (a gene): On: the cell uses the gene. Off: the gene is in the DNA but unused

nucleus: The part of a cell that holds its DNA

stem cell: An unspecialized cell that can divide and can give rise to specialized cells

adult stem cell: A stem cell found in an adult's tissue, such as bone marrow or skin

Common mistakes

Your child thought different cell types carry different DNA. Body cells that have a nucleus carry the same DNA; the cell types differ in which genes they switch on. Ask your child which genes are on in a muscle cell and a nerve cell.

Your child thought a cell uses its whole set of genes at once. A cell switches on just the genes its job needs, and the rest stay unused. Ask your child which genes a nerve cell and a muscle cell use.

Your child thought stem cells are found only in young children. Adults have them too, such as in bone marrow and skin. Ask your child which adult stem cells make blood cells.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with how cells specialize, and what stem cells are?

Your child thought different cell types carry different DNA. Body cells that have a nucleus carry the same DNA; the cell types differ in which genes they switch on. Ask your child which genes are on in a muscle cell and a nerve cell.

Are these 9th grade science worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

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