Stem Cells Flashcards
What are stem cells?
Unspecialised cells that can self-renew, can differentiate to give rise to progenitor cells.
What are totipotent cells capable of becoming?
Every cell in embryo/placenta.
What are pluripotent cells capable of becoming?
Every cell in embryo but NOT placenta.
What potency do embryonic stem cells have?
Pluripotent
What potency do adult stem cells have?
Multipotent or unipotent
Give an example of a totipotent cell.
Cells within the fertilised embryo.
What are the two types of stem cells?
Embryonic or somatic (adult)
Where may somatic stem cells be found?
Adult and fetal tissues, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood.
Where may embryonic stem cells be found?
Pre-implantation embryo.
Which type of stem cell is both PLURIPOTENT and IMMORTAL?
Embryonic stem cells.
Are adult stem cells immortal?
No.
At which day of human embryo development are embryonic stem cells no longer present?
The 7th day.
Give four possible applications of stem cell research.
Basic science developments, drug development, gene therapy, regenerative therapy.
Give four advantages of using stem cells in drug development.
- Rapid screening of large numbers of drugs/chemicals.
- Reduce number of animals needed for drug testing.
- May generate types of cell not easily obtained from primary source (neurons from CNS)
- Personalised medicines
Give four major problems in the usage of embryonic stem cells.
- Risk of tumour formation.
- Difficulties regulating stem cells behaviour.
- Difficulties tracking cells following administration.
- Immune rejection
