1.3- Stem Cells

Question 1

Two key features of stem cells

Answer 1

Self renewal and potency

Question 2

Self-renewal

Answer 2

capacity to divide

Question 3

Potency

Answer 3

ability to differentiate along different pathways

Question 4

Three main types of stem cells

Answer 4

Totipotent, Pluripotent, Multipotent

Question 5

Totipotent

Answer 5

any cell type

Question 6

Pluripotent

Answer 6

any cell type arising from the three germ layers

Question 7

Multipotent

Answer 7

can form any number of related cell types

Question 8

Embryonic stem cells

Answer 8

high potency, ethical issues

Question 9

Adult stem cells

Answer 9

lower potency, less ethical issues and low chance of graft rejection

Question 10

How is pluripotency induced in adult stem cells

Answer 10

triggering expression of specific genes via nuclear reprogramming

Question 11

stem cells

what are niches

Answer 11

where pools of adult stem cells are found

Question 12

Locations of niches?

Answer 12

Bone Marrow

Hair follicles

Question 13

What does bone marrow contain

Answer 13

haemopoietic stem cells which give rise to different types of blood cells

Question 14

What do hair follicles contain

Answer 14

range of epidermal stem cells

Question 15

What are the chemical signals which activate genes within a cell

Answer 15

morphogens

Question 16

What are morphogens

Answer 16

transcription factors

Question 17

What is the impact of a morphogen determined by?

Answer 17

Its concentration

Question 18

What happens to a morphogen concentration as it diffuses further away from the source cell

Answer 18

decreases