Stem Cells

Question 1

What’s a stem cell niche?

Answer 1

A location where stem cells are found. They have a microenvironment so cells can be dormant then quickly proliferate.

Question 2

What is signal transduction?

Answer 2

Signling molecules can form chemical gradients which activate different levels of conscription factors which turn on different genes.

Question 3

Name 4 stem cell niches

Answer 3

Bone marrow
Muscle
Hair follicles
Skin

Question 4

Totipotent

Answer 4

Can differentiate into any 220 types of body cells (early embryo)

Question 5

Pluripotent

Answer 5

Can differentiate into a range of cells but not all types

Question 6

Multipotent

Answer 6

Adult stem cells that can differentiate into several cell types eg bone marrow cells can differentiate into red or white blood cells

Question 7

Unipotent

Answer 7

Can differentiate into only one type of cell