Differential Cell Fate

Question 1

commitment (2)

Answer 1

• process of choosing a cell fate

- 3 stages: specification, determination, differentiation

Question 2

specification (3)

Answer 2

• first stage of commitment
• can still differentiate if moved to neutral environment
• commitment to cell fate can be reversed (new environment or new signals)

Question 3

determination (3)

Answer 3

• second stage of commitment
• can still differentiate if moved to new environment
• commitment to cell fate cannot be reversed (original fate even if new environment/signals)

Question 4

differentiation (3)

Answer 4

• third stage of commitment
• development of specialized cell types and cell expresses genes required to carry out specialized function
• cannot differentiate and commitment to cell fate cannot be reversed

Question 5

what can cause differences in cell fates in the zygote (2)

Answer 5

• regulatory molecules

- can be mRNA or protein

Question 6

where do regulatory molecules come from

Answer 6

• maternal cells cause asymmetric distributions of regulators in cells

Question 7

how are cells directed to follow differential fates

Answer 7

• most cues from external environment

Question 8

how do cells communicate (3)

Answer 8

• receptor proteins interacts with ligands (signal molecules) or detect physical changes
• interaction results in signal transduction: series of cellular events
• activation of signal transduction generally leads to differential gene expression (response)

Question 9

receptor types (2)

Answer 9

• cytoplasmic

- transmembrane