Control of Cell Differentiation

Question 1

What is the cell phenotype dictated by

Answer 1

Constituent proteins

Question 2

What are the stages of cell specialisation

Answer 2

Stem cells = Pluripotent
Progenitors = Multipotent
Terminally differentiated cell = unipotent

Question 3

What does the cell need before genes are switched on

Answer 3

A number of transcription factors

Question 4

What does a cell need before it can expand and differentiate

Answer 4

Extracellular signals
Eg. Low O2 in proximal tubule (EPO receptor gets signal)
Bone marrow is stimulated to produce more RBC progenitor