Stem Cells

Question 1

What is a stem cell?

Answer 1

Undifferentiated cell that has the ability to undergo many rounds of mitotic division to renew long-term and produce specialised body cell types

Question 2

Unique properties of stem cells

Answer 2

1) Unspecialised
2) Capable of self-renewal
3) Can diffferentiate

Question 3

Unique properties of stem cells - Unspecialised

Answer 3

• have not developed into cells that can perform specific functions but can differentiate to form specialised cell types

Question 4

Unique properties of stem cells - Capable of self-renewal

Answer 4

• undergo many rounds of mitotic division to produce many copies of themselves and proliferate
• resulting daughter cells produce same replicative and developmental potential

Question 5

Unique properties of stem cells - Can differentiate

Answer 5

• can divide and produce cells that can develop to form more specific cell types, tissues and organs

Question 6

Characteristic(s) of totipotent stem cells

Answer 6

• contain all genetic information required for all structures and functions that will arise throughout life cycle of organism
• can form all adult body cell types and cells of extraembryonic membranes

e.g fertilised egg/zygote

Question 7

Characteristic(s) of pluripotent stem cells

Answer 7

• produce cells that develop to form 3 germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm, ectoderm)

Question 8

Characteristic(s) of multipotent stem cells

Answer 8

• can form multiple different cell and tissue types

Question 9

Characteristic(s) of unipotent stem cells

Answer 9

• can form only 1 differentiated cell type