cell differentiation Flashcards
cell differentiation
process through which a cell undergoes changes in gene expression & gene activity to specialise & take on specific roles in an orgnaism.
cell lineage
series of successive cell types = from the zygote to a particular mature cell type
ES cell
embryonic stem cell; able to differentiate to any cell type
gene expression
synthesis of the product of a given gene; a protein/ functional RNAs like tRNA.
Involved transcription & for proteins translation.
household gene
gene expressed in nearly all cell types e.g. tubulin
luxury gene
gene expressed in only one or a few cell types
master gene regulator
TF that coordinately regulates many or all of the genes speifically expressed in a particular cell type
modulation (of gene expression)
a simple,reversible change in gene expression with no change to cell type
pluripotent
able to produce several functional cell types.
also used for ESCs that can produce cell types of all 3 germ layers
pioneer factors
TFs that can bind to condensed chromatin, remodel it and initiate cell fate and differentiation (master regulators e.g ; SOX2, OCT4, NANOG)
postnatal/ adult SCs
immature cell that can both divide to produce further cells like itself & differentiate to replace functional cells that are worn out or lost
precursor/progenitor cells
any immature cell type able to differentiate to other cell type/s
promoter
a stretch of DNA at the 5’end of a structural gene which regulates transcription of that gene by binding to certain TFs (proteins that regulate transcription)
terminal differentiation
production of a mature functional cell type that can’t divide e.g. neurons, skeletal, muscle, granulocytes
totipotent
able to produce all cell types of both body + extra embryonic parts e.g. placenta, membranes)
cell determination
process whereby cell fates becomes stable. followed by cell differentiation. when a cell chooses a particualr ‘fate’ it’s said to be ‘determined’.
implies stable change.
