Stem Cell Research and Breakthroughs Quiz

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What was the primary method Shinya Yamanaka used to revert mature cells to a stem-cell state?

Creating chemical compounds to modify cellular DNA
Introducing 24 specific proteins into the cells
Injecting embryonic stem cells into mature cells
Inserting 24 specific genes into adult skin cells (correct)

What significant conclusion was made about adult stem cells in recent research?

They can only differentiate into one specific cell type
They may be more flexible than previously thought (correct)
They can only be derived from bone marrow tissue
They are always less flexible than embryonic stem cells

What was the main focus of the 1963 paper by Till, McCulloch, and Becker?

The radiation sensitivity of normal mouse bone marrow cells (correct)
The ability of adult stem cells to differentiate into various cell types
The effects of gene insertion on stem cell versatility
The role of embryonic stem cells in tissue regeneration

How does the presence of stem cells contribute to the body?

They facilitate the healing and regeneration of damaged tissue (A) Signup and view all the answers

What common misconception about pluripotent stem cells was challenged by Yamanaka's work?

Pluripotent stem cells can only exist in embryos (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which year did Ernest McCulloch receive his medical degree?

1948 (D) Signup and view all the answers

What significant research topic did McCulloch focus on during the 1970s?

Stem cell research related to leukemia mechanisms (D) Signup and view all the answers

In what prestigious publication did McCulloch and his colleagues publish their pivotal research findings in 1963?

Nature (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which honor did McCulloch receive in 2010 for his contributions to medical research?

Induction into the Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which institution did McCulloch join in 1957 that significantly contributed to his research career?

Ontario Cancer Institute (C) Signup and view all the answers

What significant compound did Tu Youyou isolate that revolutionized malaria treatment?

Artemisinin (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of 'Project 523' initiated by the Chinese government?

To find new antimalarial drugs (C) Signup and view all the answers

What inspired Tu Youyou's interest in researching medicine?

Her battle with tuberculosis (D) Signup and view all the answers

In which year did Tu Youyou receive the Nobel Prize for her contributions to malaria research?

2015 (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of parasite is responsible for causing malaria?

Protozoa (D) Signup and view all the answers

What traditional knowledge did Tu Youyou refer to for her research in extracting artemisinin?

An ancient Chinese recipe dating back 1600 years (D) Signup and view all the answers

What role did Tu Youyou hold at the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Chief Scientist (D) Signup and view all the answers

What major health challenge did Tu Youyou's research address during the late 1960s?

Malaria drug resistance (A) Signup and view all the answers

What significant achievement is James Till known for in collaboration with Ernest McCulloch?

Discovery of adult stem cells in bone marrow (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of James Till's research interests expanded beyond his initial focus?

Patient quality of life and the role of the internet in advocacy (A) Signup and view all the answers

In what year did James Till receive the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research?

2005 (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of cells did Till and McCulloch find to be unspecialized and present in human bones?

Adult stem cells (C) Signup and view all the answers

Where did James Till complete his PhD in biophysics?

Yale University (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary objective of testing the 380 extracts from 200 plants?

To evaluate their ability to kill malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which plant extract showed initial promise in killing Plasmodium parasites?

Artemisia annua extract (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which preparation technique is commonly used in Chinese medicine for roots?

Decoction (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable issue encountered with the Artemisia annua extract during the evaluation?

Results from the evaluation were inconsistent. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How many extracts were tested in the evaluation mentioned in the content?

380 (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of McCulloch and Till's research when they discovered stem cells?

The medical potential of nuclear radiation on cancer cells. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did McCulloch and Till demonstrate that each nodule originated from a single cell?

By applying radiation to create chromosome markers in donor cells. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of cells were identified as being part of each clone formed from the stem cells?

All three main blood cell types: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What term did McCulloch and Till use to describe the original cells that formed colonies in their research?

Colony-forming units. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why were McCulloch and Till cautious about publishing their findings in 1961?

They were uncertain about the validity of their results. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary source of Tu Youyou's discovery of artemisinin?

Traditional Chinese medicine practices (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the qinghao plant did Tu Youyou focus her experiments on?

Aerial parts (B) Signup and view all the answers

What significant award did Tu Youyou win in 2011?

Lasker Award (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which compound did Tu Youyou develop after artemisinin that is more potent?

Dihydroartemisinin (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which organization licensed artemisinin as a new drug in 1992?

Chinese Ministry of Health (C) Signup and view all the answers

How many people are treated annually with artemisinin-based combination therapy?

198 Million (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was a key method used by Tu Youyou to extract artemisinin?

Low-temperature extraction (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which historical text did Tu Youyou consult for her research?

Ge Hong's handbook (C) Signup and view all the answers

What year did Jane Goodall begin her significant field study of chimpanzees in Tanzania?

1960 (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which institute did Jane Goodall establish to promote research and conservation?

Jane Goodall Institute (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which notable behavior did Jane Goodall document that was previously thought to be unique to humans?

Tool use (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the early educational initiatives established by Jane Goodall aimed at youth?

Roots and Shoots (D) Signup and view all the answers

What degree did Jane Goodall earn from Cambridge University?

PhD in Ethology (C) Signup and view all the answers

Who supported Jane Goodall's early research and encouraged her studies of primates?

Louis Leakey (B) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of chimpanzee behavior did Jane Goodall NOT specifically document in her research?

Migratory patterns (C) Signup and view all the answers

What significant challenge did Jane Goodall face when she first studied the chimpanzees?

Rejection by the chimpanzee community (A) Signup and view all the answers

Ernest McCulloch

A Canadian hematologist, known for pioneering leukemia research.

Leukemia Research

Study of blood cancers, specifically targeting the formation of blood cells.