Stem Cell

Question 1

1. Name two basic types of stem cells?

Answer 1

embryonic stem cells

adult stem cells

Question 2

2. What is the definition of stem cell plasticity?

Answer 2

the ability of an adult stem cell to retain the capacity to differentiate along different lineages when placed in the appropriate microenviornment

Question 3

3. What does haematopoietic stem cells give rise to and what does mesenchymal stem cells give rise to?

Answer 3

haematopoietic- red, white blood cells and platelets

mesenchymal stem cells- give rise to bone cartilage and fat

Question 4

4. When differentiating stem cells, you must note that _____________ stem cells are only capable of producing one cell type, while ______________ stem cells can produce all cell types.

Answer 4

unipotent- one cell type

totipotnent-all cell types

Question 5

5. The two main types of stem cells are ______________ and _________ stem cells.

Answer 5

embryonic stem cells

adult stem cells

Question 6

6. Where are mesenchymal stem cells found?

Answer 6

Bone marrow

Question 7

7. What type of cells do hematopoietic stem cells form?

Answer 7

red, white blood cells and platelets

Question 8

8. How many cell types do pluripotent cells form?
   a. One cell type
   b. Many cell types
   c. All cell types

Answer 8

b. many stem cell types

Question 9

What are the two properties of stem cells

Answer 9

duplication and differentiation

Question 10

10. What is the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical stem cell division?

Answer 10

• Symmetrical cell division: both daughter cells acquire same fate
• Asymmetric cell division: one daughter cell becomes a stem cell, the other differentiates into a more specialized cell type

Question 11

11. Describe two techniques by which stem cells are isolated and harvested.

Answer 11

• Bone marrow aspirates =• Harvested under local anesthesia from upper part of the hip (iliac crest)
• Tissue biopsies (Skin, cartilage, lungs, liver, kidney and heart) =• E.g: for skin punch, pushed down and rotated to remove circular piece of skin
• Portion of organs (liver kidney and pancreas) =cells can be isolated and donated from these large organs

Question 12

12. What is the difference between Embryonic Stem Cells and Adult Stem Cells?

Answer 12

embryonic- are not commited to a certain type of tissue

adult stem cells- are tissue specific

Question 13

13. What is a Stem cell Niche?

Answer 13

=its sheltering environment of the stem cell that maintains balance between stem cell activity and quiescence.

Question 14

14. Where are adult stem cells found?

Answer 14

in differentiated tissue, such as skin, adipose, heart, liver, pancreas, brain dental pulp and spinal cord

Question 15

15. _ _ _ _ _ is the stem cell environment that provides a sheltering environment for the stem cells in which the balance between the stem cell activity and quiescence is maintained.\

Answer 15

stem cell niche

Question 16

16. Where are mesenchymal cells found:
    a. Stomach
    b. Skin
    c. Bone Marrow
    d. Eye

Answer 16

bone marrow

Question 17

17. What is the difference between an embryonic stem cells and an Adult stem cells? What are two sources of an embryonic stem cells?

Answer 17

embryonic- are not commited to a certain type of tissue, embryos, existing stem cell lines, Custom-made embryos created by (SCNT)

adult stem cells- are tissue specific