Stem cells

Question 1

What is cell potency?

Answer 1

The ability of a cell to differentiate into other cell types

Question 2

Define totipotent stem cells, give e.g.

Answer 2

Stem cells that can divide into any adult cell type and embryonic structures e.g. zygote

Question 3

Define pluripotent stem cells, give e.g.

Answer 3

Stem cells that can divide into any cell type in the adult body but not embryonic structures e.g. embryonic stem cell

Question 4

Define multipotent stem cells

Answer 4

Stem cells that can divide into tissue specific cell types e.g. haematopoietic stem cells

Question 5

Define unipotent stem cells

Answer 5

Stem cells that can give rise to one specific cell type

Question 6

Which cell types are good for transplants?

Answer 6

Adult stem cells

Question 7

What effect can environmental extrinsic stress have on the fate of stem cells?

Answer 7

Causes cells to become malignant and cancerous.

Question 8

How can gene expression be used in development of personalised medicine?

Answer 8

It can help to find characteristics of their cells to make medicine specific

Question 9

What are other uses of stem cell apart from personalised medicine?

Answer 9

Bone marrow Transplantation

Wound healing

Question 10

Define differentiation

Answer 10

Differentiation: process in which stem cells develop into different types of mature cells, acquire specialised structures and/or functional features which characterise cell/tissue.