3.9 specialized tissues, stem cells Flashcards
What are stem cells?
unspecialized cells
why are stem cells important?
potential to develop into many dif cell types in the body
Stem cells can also serve as what to many tissues?
internal repair system.
What are 5 characteristics of stem cells?
can divide without limit. Can renew themselves. Not terminally differentiated. Can remain a stem cell or become differentiated. Undergo slow division
What is totipotency?
ability of a cell to give rise to all cells of an organism. Embryonic and extra embryonic tissues
What is an example of totiplotency?
zygote
What is pluripotency?
ability of a cell to give rise to all cells of the embryo and adult tissues
What is an ex of pluripotency?
embryonic stem cells
What is multipotency?
ability of a cell to give rise to different cell types of a given lineage
What is an ex of multipotency?
adult stem cells
What two ways are stem cells maintained?
asymmetric division and independent choice
What is asymmetric division?
creates 2 cells, one with stem cell characteristics and another with ability to differentiate.
What is independent choice?
division makes 2 identical cells but the outcome is stochastic or influenced by environment.
Which of the two (asymmetric or independent choice) is a better option?
independent choice
Differentiation of stem cells depends on what two types of signals?
internal and external signals
How are internal signals controlled by?
cells genes
How are the external signals controlled by?
cells micro environment.
Each organ/tissue has a fixed number what?
founder cell populations and fixed number of divisions