Stem Cells and Differentiation

Question 1

stem cells

Answer 1

self-renewal
differentiate into other cell types

Question 2

differentiation

Answer 2

unspecialised cells acquire specialised structural/functional features that characterise the cells, tissues or organs of the organism

Question 3

asymmetric division

Answer 3

stem cells produce two dissimilar daughter cells

Question 4

daughter cells

Answer 4

one daughter cell: identical so maintains stem cell line
second daughter cell: different genetic instructions so become precursor cells

Question 5

precursor cell

Answer 5

committed to producing one terminally differentiated cells e.g., neurons, muscle cells.

Question 6

potency

Answer 6

ability to differentiate into other cell types

Question 7

totipotent

Answer 7

most potent: can give rise to embryonic membrane and any cell type e.g., zygote

Question 8

pluripotent

Answer 8

give rise to any cell type e.g., inner cell mass of blastocyst and stem cells

Question 9

multipotent

Answer 9

give rise to tissue specific cell types

Question 10

unipotent

Answer 10

least potent: give rise to one specific type of the adult body tissue cells

Question 11

adult tissue stem cells

Answer 11

undifferentiated cells that replenish and regenerate dying cells e.g., haematopoietic stem cells

Question 12

advantage/disadvantage of embryonic stem cells

Answer 12

• most potent
• destroys embryo: ethical dilemma

Question 13

advantage/disadvantage of adult

Answer 13

• doesn’t destroy potential life
• less potent

Question 14

cancer stem cells

Answer 14

stem cells within tumours that self renew and differentiate

Question 15

medical applications of stem cells

Answer 15

regenerative medicine
tissue repair
drug screening
gene therapy

Question 16

regenerative medicine

Answer 16

bone marrow transplant, autologous transplant (from patient) and allogenic (from donor)