19 - Stem Cells & Differentiation

Question 1

Overview of Stem cells and their differentiation.

Answer 1

Review.

Question 2

How do we develop? How do cells know what to differentiate into?

Answer 2

Question 3

What are stem cells and what are their classifications?

Answer 3

Stem Cells
* Unspecialized cells (non differentiated)
* Capable of self renewal through cell division,even after long periods of quiescence
* Capable of differentiating into specialized cells types

Question 4

Where do Stem cells come from?

Answer 4

Question 5

What determines stem cell fate?

Answer 5

Question 6

How are cells signaled by the factors that determine cell fate?

Answer 6

Cell Contact and Adhesion
-Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs)
-critical for organogenesis
-direct migration patterns
-affect gene expression
Contact Inhibition of Proliferation
-in vitro and in vivo
-loss of contact inhibition and neoplasia

Stiffer matrices= bone differentiation, less stiff matrices=hepatic differentiation, differentiation depends on the matrix stiffness

Question 7

Explain an example of cell signaling in drosophila?

Answer 7

Question 8

How does cell signaling and gene expression in Drosophila relate to human cell signaling and gene expression?

Answer 8

Question 9

What are some clinical uses of stem cells?

Answer 9