STEM CELLS Flashcards
differentiation
process of a cell to become specialised
Do all cells within an organism have the same DNA?
No, only the ones with a nucleus –> not erythrocytes
stem cells
undifferentiated cell that have the potential to become any specialized cell
potency
the stem cell’s ability to differentiate into different cell types
totipotent
a stem cell that can differentiate into any type of cell
pluripotent
a stem cell that can differentiate into any type of tissue
multipotent
a stem cell that can differentiate into a range of cells within a certain type of tissue
Leukozyten
neutrophiles
Why do erythrocytes have such a short lifespan? (and how long is it?)
120 days
they maximize their space to carry oxygen
–> no nucleus/ some other organelles
sources of stem cells in animals
- embryonic stem cells: totipotent till blastocyst has formed –> pluripotent
- tissue stem cells : multipotent
sources of stem cells in plants
meristematic tissue (meristems) –> located wherever growth happens
lifespan of neutrophils
6 hours
possible uses of stem cells
heart disease –> replace muscular tissue damaged after heart attack
type I diabetes
Parkinson’s disease –> symptoms are caused by death of dopamine-producing cells in the brain
spinal injuries
…
actual uses of stem cells
treatment of burns: stem cells grow on biodegradable meshed to form skin for replacement
drug trials: test drugs on cultures of stem cells first
gene modification of stem cells
stem cells from patient’s own bone marrow are removed –> genetically modified and placed back in bone marrow
