Cell Potency

Question 1

What does cell “potency” mean?

Answer 1

it is the ability of a cell to differentiate into other cell types

Question 2

What separates cell determination from cell differentiation?

Answer 2

determination is assigning the fate of a cell, which is influenced in the early embryo

differentiation is the modification of cells to perform the assigned function

Question 3

What are the three main types of cell potency?

Answer 3

1. Totipotent
2. Pluripotent
3. Multipotent

Question 4

What is a totipotent cell?

Answer 4

this is a cell that has the greatest potency and is only found up to the 8 cell stage of mitotic division. These cells alone can autonomously give rise to an entire organism.

Question 5

What is a pluripotent cell?

Answer 5

this is a cell that is able to differentiate into any call in the body. they can give rise to any of the 3 germ layers in the embryo.

Question 6

True or False: pluripotent cells are found in the embryonic and placental strucgtures

Answer 6

False - pluripotent cells are only found in the germ layers of the embryo

Question 7

What are multipotent cells?

Answer 7

these are cells that can differentiate into cells with specialized functions, but are limited because they are committed to a specific lineage.

Question 8

True or False: multipotent cells are found in the fetus AND the adult

Answer 8

True

Question 9

What are the least specialized cells that can give rise to both placental and fetal structures?

Answer 9

totipotent cells

Question 10

What cells only give rise to fetal cells?

Answer 10

pluripotent cells

Question 11

What cells differentiate only into specialized cells of certain tissues?

Answer 11

multipotent cells