Larsens, Ch 5 - Morphogenesis, Dysmorphogenesis, and Cell Signaling

Question 1

Notch

Answer 1

A cell surface single-pass transmembrane receptor family required for asymmetric cell division, acts as a receptor for Jagged and Delta-like proteins and also interacts with a negative regulator (Numb) which is down-regulated by notch, asymmetry of cell division allows generation of distinct progeny from a single cell division required in many developmental processes including neurogenesis

Question 2

Morphogenesis

Answer 2

Term used to describe the process of development involving a change in form (shape) and size or either cells or tissues

Question 3

Induction

Answer 3

Term is used to describe the process by which one cell population influences the development of neighbouring cells

Question 4

Induced pluripotent stem cell (IPS cell)

Answer 4

A reprogrammed adult stem cell to form an embryonic stem cell, from which tissues or whole animals can develop

Question 5

Pluripotent

Answer 5

Stem cell term describing the ability of a stem cell to form (differentiate) into many different cell types, the term is often used in stem cell research instead of totipotent, which means that the stem cell can form all embryo cell types

Question 6

Hox gene

Answer 6

Acronym from homeo box gene identified as a conserved region of protein sequence required for DNA specific binding, Hox proteins are transcription factors regulating gene activity within cells during development and differentiation, have an important role in “patterning” tissues during development. These are the mammalian counterpart of a Drosophila homeo domain gene, for example the antennapedia mutation.

Question 7

Teratogen

Answer 7

Any agent that causes a structural abnormality following exposure during pregnancy, overall effect depends on dosage and time of exposure

Question 8

Totipotent

Answer 8

Term that describes the ability of a cell (stem cell) to form an entire organism or any tissue from that organism, totipotential suggests a wider differentiation ability than pluripotential, where there is a restriction to a particular group of cell types such as that seen for bone marrow blood stem cells