Cell Specialization Flashcards
What are specialized cells called?
Differentiate
What is a stem cell? What is it’s function?
A cell that is not differentiated, not specialized yet. It can divide itself to an unlimited amount of time.
Will all stem cell differentiate?
Under the right condition yes
How does a cell differentiate?
Relying on it’s genome, the DNA will see what is the best fit for the cell and further specialize it into what is needed for the organism.
What makes a stem cell knows what to specialize into?
We don’t. But it’s enviroment could be a reason for it to adapt.
What is the potency of stem cells?
The potential on how far a cell can specialize
How can the potency of a stem cell affect its function?
The amount of potents will determine how well it can do it’s work for the environment it’s in.
Totipotent
Can become any type of cell
Pluripotent
The second step after totipotent
Many types of cells
Multipotent
The stages most stem cells are in after birth, a few types of cell or become a unipotent cell
Bone marrow has alot of multipotent that can differentiate into different blood cells
Unipotent
The narrowest cell can divide up to. They have the ability to renew things which help with wounds/replacing dead cells
*Induced potent
Scientists finding ways to go backwards and change differentiate cells back to pluripotent
Stem cell niche
The microenvironment that people believe help guided how a cell should be differentiate
Hormones, pH, ion concentrations could be conditions that might change the niche
Plant’s differentiation
Cambium (ring of SC) differentiate into xylem & pholem cells (plant’s vein)
=>neighbor cells see and do the same
Embryo’s differentiation
Morphogens (concentration chemicals)
The closer a cell is to the middle of the embryo the more morphogens it is exposed to => differentiate differently
Limb cell’s differentiation
Also uses morphogens, closer to middle will make bones, further ones make muscles, furthest will make fat & skin