4D: Stem Cells

Question 1

Name the 3 potencies from highest to lowest:

Answer 1

Totipotency
Pluripotency
Multipotency

Question 2

What does undifferentiated mean?

Answer 2

A cell that has not yet developed into a specialized cell type (like a skin or muscle cell).

Question 3

What is differentiation?

Answer 3

The process during which young, immature (unspecialized) cells take reach their mature (specialized) form and function.

Question 4

What are the two defining features of stem cells?

Answer 4

1. Self-renewal
2. Potency (ability to differentiate into specialized cells)

Question 5

What type of cell is a stem cell?

Answer 5

Undifferentiated, unspecialized