Cellular Differentiation

Question 1

Stem Cell

Answer 1

an unspecialized cell that can divide without limit as needed and can under specific conditions, differentiate into specialized cells
- divided into lots of categories according to potential to differentiate.
- they can also continually divide and regenerate new stem cells instead of specializing

Question 2

Totipotent

Answer 2

• first embryonic cells that arise from the division of the zygote are the ultimate stem cells
• have potential to differentiate into any of the cells needed to enable and organism to grow and develop
• specialized into pluripotent

Question 3

pluripotent

Answer 3

• embryonic cells that develop from totipotent stem cells and are precursors to fundamental tissue layers of the embryo
• has potential to differentiate into any type of human tissue but can’t support full development of organism
• specialized into multipotent

Question 4

multipotent stem cell

Answer 4

• potential to differntiate into types of cells within a give cell lineage (like RBC or WBCs)
• specialized into oligopotent

Question 5

oligopotent

Answer 5

• limited to becoming one a few different cell types
• specialized into unipotent

Question 6

unipotent

Answer 6

• fully specialized and can only reproduce to generate more of its own specific cell type

Question 7

what happens when a cell differentiates (becomes more specialized?)

Answer 7

• undertakes major changes in size, shape, metabolic activity and overall function
• to differentiate into specialized form, it needs to manipulate genes and proteins that are expressed

Question 8

transcription factor

Answer 8

one of a class of proteins that bind to specific genes on DNA molecule and either promote or inhibit transcription
- used by cell to differentiate