Stem cells

Question 1

What are the two key properties of stem cells?

Answer 1

1. Self-renewal.
2. Differentiation.

Question 2

What level of potency is the first cell of the organism (the zygote)?

Answer 2

Totipotency.

Question 3

After 5-7 days of totipotency, what cells are formed?

Answer 3

Embryonic stem cells.

Question 4

What level of potency are ES cells?

Answer 4

Pluripotency.

Question 5

Pluripotent cells are then followed by totipotent cells. True or false?

Answer 5

False.

Question 6

What are the three germ layers of multipotent stem cells?

Answer 6

Endo-, meso-, and ectodermal.

Question 7

Unipotency follows straight after multipotency. True or false?

Answer 7

True.

Question 8

Would pancreas tissue descend from endodermal or mesodermal lineages?

Answer 8

Endodermal.

Question 9

The best-studied stem cell system is HSCs. What does HSC stand for?

Answer 9

Hematopoietic stem cell.

Question 10

What does MSC stand for?

Answer 10

Mesenchymal stem cell.

Question 11

Where are HSCs and MSCs found?

Answer 11

In the bone marrow.

Question 12

What does iPSC stand for?

Answer 12

Induced pluripotent stem cells.

Question 13

Somatic cells become iPSCs by transfection with other stem cells. True or false?

Answer 13

False.

Question 14

What transforms somatic cells into iPSCs?

Answer 14

A ‘cocktail’ of transcription factors.

Question 15

HSCs can be used to treat what disease(s)?

Answer 15

Leukaemia, sickle cell anaemia, etc.

Question 16

What main function are MSCs thought to contribute to?

Answer 16

Tissue/organ homeostasis.

Question 17

What are three uses of stem cells in research?

Answer 17

1. Understanding what influences stem cell decisions.
2. Understanding the genetic basis of a disease.
3. Testing new drugs.