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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)
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (correct)
- Somatic stem cells
- Embryonic stem cells (correct)
- Tissue stem cells (correct)
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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