Final_1_Stem cells and brain diseases

Question 1

Stem Cell

Answer 1

cells that can make precise copies of themselves
over and over again (self-renewal) and can
“differentiate” or mature into different cell types

Question 2

Why are stem cells important?

Answer 2

1. To generate tissue during development
2. To maintain proper tissue homeostasis or as an
   internal repair system
3. To replace lost cells or dying cells

Question 3

Totipotent cells

Answer 3

1. Most versatile
2. has the potential to give rise to any type of cell, such as brain, liver, blood or
   heart, etc. They can give rise to an entire functional organism.
3. After a few days of embryonic development, the cells begin to specialize into
   pluripotent stem cells

Question 4

Pluripotent cells

Answer 4

1. they can give rise to all cell types
2. unlike totipotent stem cells, however, they cannot give rise to an entire organism
3. Pluripotent stem cells occur naturally during pregnancy

Question 5

Multipotent cells

Answer 5

1. less plastic and more differentiated stem cells.
2. give rise to a limited range of cells within a tissue type
3. offspring of the pluripotent cells become the progenitors of such cell lines as blood
   cells, skin cells and nerve cells. At this stage, they are multipotent.
4. Naturally occurring in the body (bone marrow- red blood cells).

Question 6

Embryonic stem cells

Answer 6

1. Pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner mass of the blastocyst.
2. Ability to propagate indefinitely in an undifferentiated state. This can also lead to tumor formation.
3. Potential for cell replacement therapies, tissue engineering, or disease modeling

Question 7

Embryonic cells within the first couple of

cell divisions after fertilization are the only cells that are _________

Answer 7

totipotent

Question 8

embryonic stem cells are considered _________

Answer 8

pluripotent

Question 9

adult stem cells and cord blood stem cells are

considered ________

Answer 9

multipotent

Question 10

ESCs are derived from _______

Answer 10

the inner cell mass of blastocysts.

Question 11

Adult stem cells

Answer 11

1. Committed to a particular “fate” (multipotent)
   – Bone marrow transplants
2. Difficult to isolate/purify
3. Not as plastic as ESC
4. May contain DNA abnormalities caused by sunlight,
   toxins, or DNA replication
5. Less likely to form tumors, or cause immune rejection

Question 12

Neural Stem Cells

Answer 12

1. less likely to form tumors.
2. Can differentiate into astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons.

3.

Question 13

How can we treat neurodegenerative diseases with stem cells?

Answer 13

1. Replace or repair damaged tissue or group of
   cells that can’t heal itself.
2. Use stem cells to provide nutrients to sick cells
3. Enhance endogenous neurogenesis

Question 14

20. A unique feature of pluripotent stem cells are that they:
    a. Stain for pluripotency specific markers
    b. Renew and divide in culture
    c. Can be differentiated into any cell type
    d. All of the above

Answer 14

d. All of the above

Question 15

.While both induced pluripotent and embryonic pluripotent stem cells have the
potential to become any cell type in the body, an induced pluripotent stem cell is
unique because it can be derived from ____________________, while an embryonic
pluripotent cell is derived from ____________________.

Answer 15

Skin; early stage embryo

Question 16

Neural stem cells are an example of ________ and can give rise to astrocytes,
oligodendrocytes, and neurons.

Answer 16

Multipotent stem cells

Question 17

The following facts are true about stem cells EXCEPT:
a. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are derived from blastocysts
b. Induced-pluripotent stem cells are less likely to cause immune rejection than ESCs
during transplantation
c. ESCs can divide indefinitely in an undifferentiated state
d. ESCs may contain abnormalities caused by DNA replication

Answer 17

d. ESCs may contain abnormalities caused by DNA replication

Question 18

How could stem cell be used to treat neurodegenerative disorders? (ALL ANSWERS
ACCEPTED)
a. Promote endogenous neurogenesis in compromised areas of the brain
b. Delivery of neurotrophic factors
c. Replace dying/dead neurons in susceptible brain regions
d. Promote protein aggregation
e. All of the above

Answer 18

a. Promote endogenous neurogenesis in compromised areas of the brain
b. Delivery of neurotrophic factors
c. Replace dying/dead neurons in susceptible brain regions
e. All of the above

Question 19

Brain abnormalities found in individuals
with Down Syndrome include:
I) Decreased brain weight
II) Decreased synapses
III) Decreased neuronal number
IV) Increased sulci

Answer 19

b. I, II, III

Question 20

Which of the following increases the chance of having a child with Down syndrome?

a. Advanced maternal age
b. Advanced paternal age
c. One parent is a carrier for translocation of chromosome 21
d. A and B
e. All of the above

Answer 20

e. All of the above

Question 21

Down Syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality that survives birth
and the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability. This disorder is caused
by _________.
a. An extra copy of genes on the X chromosome
b. Deletion of a portion of the 21 chromosome
c. Excessive maternal drug or alcohol use
d. Oxygen deprivation during birth
e. An extra copy of chromosome 21

Answer 21

e. An extra copy of chromosome 21