Stem Cells

Question 1

What are stem cells?

Answer 1

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the ability to differentiate into specialised cells. Stem cells must be unspecialised and capable of self-renewal.

Question 2

What is self-renewal in stem cells?

Answer 2

Stem cells have the ability to replicate without affecting their ability to differentiate by producing both a differentiated cell and a replica of themselves.

Question 3

What is Potency

Answer 3

Undifferentiated stem cells can give rise to differentiated cells with a specialized function. The more potent a stem cell is the higher change the have of specialising.

Question 4

What is an extraembryonic cell example?

Answer 4

Umbilical cord, placenta

Question 5

What is an embryonic cell example?

Answer 5

Placenta, Zygote, umbilical cord, all cells in the body

Question 6

Different Types of Potency

Answer 6

Totipotent: Any embryonic cell or
extra-embryonic cell can be differentiated from. ( turned into any of these two cells ). Can form any types of cells.

Pluripotent: Can develop into any embryonic cell however due to already being partially developed cannot differentiate into extraembryonic cells.

Multipotent: Can differentiate into a limited number of cells that are specialised belonging to specific tissues or organs. Three types of Multipotent
⇒ Ectoderm: Skin, nervous system
⇒ Mesoderm: muscle, bone, blood, vrogentials
⇒ Endoderm: lungs, gastrointestinal

Oligopotent: A cell with the ability to differentiate into a few closely related cells ( mostly blood )
⇒ Lymphoid Cells, White blood cells, Red blood cells

Unipotent: Differentiates into one specific cell
⇒ Killer T Cell which removes viruses and bacteria from the body.