Development Applications

Question 1

Which types of human stem cells are totipotent and pluripotent?

Answer 1

Totipotent is the cells from the inner cell mass from blastocyst
Pluripotent is amniotic prenatal stem cells and adult stem cells, but the latter is more limited

Question 2

What is an extracellular matrix?

Answer 2

Unique collection of strucutral oand functional molecules that act as a manuals for organisms to heal themselves

Question 3

Chemotherapy can completely deplete bone marrow cells because..

Answer 3

it targets duplicating cells, which is usually cancer cells, but can be other cells

Question 4

What is a negative side effect of stem cell therapy?

Answer 4

Unexpected tumour growth

Question 5

What are 2 things stem cells can do?

Answer 5

• Create more stem cells

- Differentiate to make specialised cells

Question 6

What are 3 types of human stem cells?

Answer 6

• Embryonic Stem cells, from the inner cells mass of blastocysts
• Amniotic prenatal stem cells, cells obtained from the amniotic sac
• Adult stem cells, found in places like the bone marrow and skin

Question 7

Which human stem cells are considered to be controversial due to where they are sourced?

Answer 7

Embryonic stem cells

Question 8

What are adult system cells usually used for?

Answer 8

Tissue maintenance and repairs

Question 9

During wound healing, _________ stem cells divide and migrate into the wound area

Answer 9

epidermal

Question 10

What causes stem cells to differentiate into different fates?

Answer 10

Chemical and physical cell-cell signals from surrounding cells

Question 11

What kickstarted interest in regenerative technology?

Answer 11

Observing limb regeneration in other animals

Question 12

What organisms can regenerate whole limbs and bodies?

Answer 12

Flatworm, hydra, axolotl, starfish, young alligators

Question 13

What are the 3 developmental axes?

Answer 13

• Proximal vs Distal: Shoulder to hand
• Anterior vs Posterior: Digits 1 to 5
• Dorsal vs Ventral: Side away and side next to body

Question 14

Describe briefly how regeneration occurs in organisms like salamanders

Answer 14

• Wound site creates a bud with 2 signalling centres

- A progress zone is create, where cells reproduce and differentiate according to the signalling centres

Question 15

What is stem cell therapy?

Answer 15

Using stem cells to treat or prevent diseases and conditions

Question 16

What are some application of stem cell therapy?

Answer 16

• Cancer
• Arthritis
• Nerve regeneration
• Tissue and limb regeneration

Question 17

How do axolotls regenerate?

Answer 17

• Injury site forms a blastema, where cells move to and dedifferentiate
• These cells become stem cells and multiply, the differentiate into the required cells

Question 18

Why do humans not regenerate?

Answer 18

No clear cut. It might be genes, but not sure.

Question 19

Instead of regenerating amputated limbs, humans…

Answer 19

Grow skin over the injury site

Question 20

What is one major organ in the human that can repair itself? What does this imply for transplants?

Answer 20

Liver

We only transplant 40-70% of a liver, then the recipient and donor regenerate the rest

Question 21

How can extracellular matrix be applied to humans?

Answer 21

As a hydrogel, powder, or bioscaffold/sheet

Question 22

How does the extracellular matrix promote regeneration?

Answer 22

• Apply to wound
• Stem cell recruitment/proliferation is stimulated
• Profit

It provides physical and chemical signals that can induce stem cell recruitment and proliferation.

Question 23

How can stem cells be used after chemotherapy?

Answer 23

Remove stems cells prior to treatment. Then, transplant into patient after chemo to reintroduce healthy stem cells in an attempt to help the body recover from the treatment

Question 24

How can stem cells treat knee arthritis?

Answer 24

• Occurs because joint produces fewer stem cells as we age. Damage is not repaired
• Remove stem cells then inject into knee joint to try and stimulate cell renewal