Molecular + Cellular Biology

Question 1

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC)

Answer 1

Reprogramming adult somatic cells –> iPSC

via exposure to specific set transcription factors that confer ES cell-like characteristics

Question 2

List 5 transcription factors utilized in iPSC

Answer 2

Oct4
Kif4 
Sox2
Myc
Nanog

Question 3

What 4 pluripotent/ES cell-like characteristics do 5 transcription factors confer to adult somatic cell?

Answer 3

1. up regulating embryonic stem cell genes
2. down regulation genes promote DIFFERENTIATION
3. up regulation of gene promote PROLIFERATION
4. loosening Chromatin structure (acetylation + demethylation) allowing DNA transcription

Question 4

What are 4 Major Phases of Multicellular Organism? When do they occur?

Answer 4

Proliferation / Division - produce many cells from 1 cell
Specialization / Differentiation - acquisition different characteristics
Interaction - cell-to-cell communication influencing behavior
Movement / Migration - beginning of organ/tissue formation; like cells begin to aggregate; rearranging cells create layers

All phases occurring simultaneously at different locations in developing embryo

Question 5

What two components determine what genes will be expressed in a cell?

Answer 5

Present and past environments

acquired memory of signals the ancestor cell received during embryonic development

Question 6

What are homologous proteins?

Answer 6

Proteins from 2 different organisms w/ SAME FXN (fxnally interchangeable) different genotype sequence

2 genes = homologues (fxnally interchangeable gene)

Allows for exchange of gene from lower organism into higher organism - gene still expressed and have the same fxn

Question 7

Homologous proteins have similar genotype but different fxn. (T/F)

Answer 7

False

Proteins = similar phenotype + different genotype