Cell Differentiation Flashcards
What is development?
all the changes that occur in the life of an individual. This begins at conception.
What is a zygote?
fertilized egg cell (divides by mitosis right away)
What is a blastocyst?
hollow ball of cells
What is a embryo?
once a blastocyst implants in the uterus, it is called this. Continues through week 8 after fertilization.
What is a fetus? When?
Starting at week 9. Called a fetus till birth.
In growth and development after the zygote is made, what is it called?
mitosis ONLY
What cell determination?
gradual commitment of groups of cells to specific patterns of gene activity.
What are stem cells?
unspecialized cells that can give rise to any other type of somatic cell
what is a pluripotent stem cell?
meaning they have the potential to develop into all cell types.
What is the name of a pluripotent stem cell?
embryoic stem cell
what is a multipotent stem cell?
meaning they can develop into more than 1 type of cell, but they are more limited than pluripotent cells.
what is a name of a multipotent stem cell?
stem cells in specific locations like ectoderm, bone marrow.
What is the three germ layers?
ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm
What cells are in the ectoderm layer? Like what can they become?
skin, nails, hair, brain, spinal cord, nerves, and glands
What cells are in the mesoderm layer? Like what can they become?
muscle and fat tissue
bones, cartilage, connective tissue
heart, blood, lymph vessels
What cells are in the endoderm layer? Like what can they become?
lining of digestive and respiratory tract
lungs, organs
What are specialized cells?
cells with unique structures and functions in the body that all HAVE THE SAME SET OF DNA in their nucleus
What do stem cells divide into?
divide to create specialized cells
How do different cell types differ in?
Which sets of genes they express
What is cell differentiation?
process by which unspecialized cells become specialized
How does cell differentiation occur?
this occurs as certain genes are turned on and others are turned off
What is transcription regulation?
control gene regulation/expression in differentiated cells,
basically controls what genes are used for the specifc cell type needed.
what are transcription factors?
proteins that control the rate of gene transcription
What is a activator transcription factor?
promotes transcription of a gene (turns on)
What is a repressor transcription factor?
blocks the transcription of a gene (turns off)
