Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is cellular differentiation?
What is cellular differentiation?
The process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type.
What are the unique properties of stem cells?
What are the unique properties of stem cells?
Self-renewal and differentiation.
Which of the following are sources of stem cells? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following are sources of stem cells? (Select all that apply)
What are the potential applications of stem cells?
What are the potential applications of stem cells?
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What ethical issues surround stem cell use?
What ethical issues surround stem cell use?
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What does 'potency' refer to in stem cells?
What does 'potency' refer to in stem cells?
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Which type of stem cells are considered totipotent?
Which type of stem cells are considered totipotent?
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Where are embryonic stem cells found?
Where are embryonic stem cells found?
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Study Notes
Cellular Differentiation
- Requires many different cell types to form structures and carry out specific functions
- Arise from a single fertilized egg cell
- All cells contain the same DNA in their nuclei
- Cells differentiate to become different from each other
Control of Cellular Differentiation
- Occurs through differential gene expression: cells express different genes
- Cells follow different differentiation programmes
- Differentiation occurs in adults as well as embryos.
- Adult stem cells divide and create fully differentiated daughter cells
Stem Cells
- Undifferentiated cells that divide and give rise to differentiated cells
- Possess Two key properties: self-renewal and differentiation
- Stem cells divide to create identical stem cells
- Stem cells differentiate to replace dead or damaged cells
- They maintain the stem cell pool
Stem Cell Niches
- Microenvironment surrounding stem cells
- Contains signals regulating self-renewal and differentiation
- Provide support for stem cells
- Include direct contact, soluble factors and intermediate cells
Stem Cell Locations
- Found in embryos, fetuses and throughout life
- Embryonic stem cells are found in the blastocyst
- Tissue stem cells are found in various tissues
- Induced pluripotent stem cells are created from adult cells
Stem Cell Terms
- Potency: a measure of how many types of specialized cells a stem cell can make
- Multipotent: cells can make multiple types of specialized cells, but not all types; tissue stem cells are multipotent
- Pluripotent: cells can make all types of specialized cells in the body but lack ability to contribute extensively to extraembryonic tissue, such as the placenta; embryonic stem cells from ICM are pluripotent
- Totipotent: cells can make all types of cells in the body plus cells needed during embryo development, like the placenta and umbilical cord; early embryonic stem cells (8 cell stage embryo, morula) are totipotent
Embryonic Stem Cells
- Embryonic stem cells are found in the inner cell mass of the blastocyst
- Inner cell mass is a cluster of cells within the blastocyst
- Blastocyst is an early embryo
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