Cell Biology: Stem Cells and Reprogramming

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What is the main difference between stem cells and other cell types?

Their ability to undergo differentiation

Their ability to self-renew and maintain their undifferentiated state (correct)

Their ability to perform essential body functions

Their ability to divide only when needed

What is the primary function of stem cells during development?

To replace old cells

To heal wounds

To maintain tissue homeostasis

To form tissues (correct)

What type of division results in a specialized cell and another stem cell?

Meiotic division

Asymmetrical division (correct)

Mitotic division

Symmetrical division

What is the term for a cell's ability to differentiate into other cell types?

Potency Signup and view all the answers

Where do embryonic stem cells originate from?

Cells in the ICM in the blastocyst state Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of culturing human embryonic stem cells on mouse feeder cells?

To obtain essential nutrients Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for three-dimensional aggregates formed in suspension by pluripotent stem cells?

Embryoid body Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of allowing embryoid bodies to interact in three-dimensional structures?

To induce differentiation Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of senescent cells?

They are resistant to apoptosis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following genes are repressed in senescent cells?

Cyclins and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of telomeres?

To provide a means for 'counting' cell division Signup and view all the answers

What happens to telomeres as cells divide?

They shorten with each cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is a cause of cellular senescence?

Telomere shortening Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of telomere shortening?

Chromosome aggregation Signup and view all the answers

What is the default program for most cells?

Suicide Signup and view all the answers

What initiates the death program in the extrinsic pathway?

Extrinsic signals Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the death domain on the receptors in the extrinsic pathway?

Oligomerize the receptors Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of FADD in the extrinsic pathway?

Recruit and activate Death Domain-containing adaptors Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of procaspase-8 activation in the extrinsic pathway?

Direct activation of effector caspases Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of cancer cells?

Uncontrolled growth and division Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of BCL-2 family proteins in apoptosis?

Inhibit apoptosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of tumor suppressor genes?

To inhibit cell division Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of caspase-8 in the extrinsic pathway?

Directly activate effector caspases Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization in the extrinsic pathway?

Cytochrome C release Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of mutations in protooncogenes?

Cell growth promotion Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of p53 in the cell cycle?

To detect DNA damage Signup and view all the answers

What type of cancer begins in the skin or tissues that line or cover internal organs?

Carcinoma Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body?

Metastasis Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which cancer cells produce growth factors to promote their own growth?

Autocrine signaling Signup and view all the answers

What type of cancer starts in blood-forming tissue and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced?

Leukemia Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of cancer stem cells?

They possess the ability of self-renewal and to give rise to all cell types found in a particular cancer sample Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of down-regulation of cell adhesion molecules in cancer cells?

Decreased cell-cell adhesion Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of chemotherapy in cancer treatment?

To target rapidly dividing cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of liquid biopsies in cancer research?

To perform whole genome sequencing and integrative analysis on primary cancers Signup and view all the answers

Why do some cells need to die in the development of the vertebrate immune system?

To eliminate self-recognizing B-cell clones Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of large-scale structural mutations in cancer?

The initiation of tumor evolution across multiple cancer types Signup and view all the answers

What type of cells are resistant to chemotherapy?

Cancer stem cells Signup and view all the answers

Why do cells need to die during embryogenesis of the hand?

To separate the fingers Signup and view all the answers