Intro to Stem Cells

Question 1

define stem cells and name 2 types

Answer 1

• Undifferentiated or unspecialized cells that give rise to the other cells and tissues of the body
• self-renewal
  
  • nearly unlimited self renewal through cell division
• differentiation
  
  • specialization or commitment to become cells with distinct structure & function
• 1. embryonic stem cells (ESCs)
• 2. Adult stem cells (ASCs)

Question 2

name the potencies of stem cells

Answer 2

• Totipotent
  
  • ability to develop into all tissues
    
    • Embryonic and extra-embryonic
• Pluripotent (embryonic stem cells)
  
  • ability to develop into all cells & tissues of the body
    
    • >210 differentiated adult cell types
  • embryonic tissue
• Multipotent
  
  • ability to develop into a small number of different cell types
• Unipotent
  
  • ability to develop into only a single cell type

Question 3

describe adult stem cells

Answer 3

• stem cells found in a developed organism
• aka somatic and germline stem cells
• Most adult stem cells are lineage-restricted
  
  • primarily multipotent and unipotent