Totipotent and Stem Cells Flashcards

1
Q

What are stem cells?

A

Cells that can divide by mitosis an unlimited number of times that have the potential to differentiate into any kind of cell.

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2
Q

What is potency?

A

The ability of stem cells to differentiate into more specialised cells.

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3
Q

Name the 3 types of potency.

A

Totipotent
Pluripotent
Multipotency

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4
Q

What are totipotent stem cells?

A

Cells that can divide and differentiate into any type of body cell.

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5
Q

Where do totipotent cells come from?

A

Embryos

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6
Q

What are zygotes and are they pluri, multi or totipotent?

A

Zygotes are the cell produced after fertilisation. They are totipotent because the stem cells can become any type of cell.

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7
Q

How do totipotent cells specialise?

A

They translate only part of their DNA.

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8
Q

Why are there no totipotent cells present in the later stages of life?

A

Cells lose their ability to differentiate into any cell type.

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9
Q

What does it mean to say that genes are ‘switched off’?

A

They are not translated because the cell does not require those genes for their function.

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10
Q

What are pluripotent stem cells?

A

Embryonic stem cells that can differentiate into any type of cell found in the embryo, but not into placenta cells.

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11
Q

What can pluripotent stem cells be used for?

A

Treating human disorders.

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12
Q

What type of cells are least totipotent?

A

Adult stem cells, that are created once the fetus has formed.

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13
Q

Name 4 places that stem cells can come from, listing from most to least totipotent.

A

Most - Embryo
Umbilical cord blood.
Placental stem cells
Least - Adult stem cells.

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14
Q

In adults, what can induced pluripotent stem cells be produced from?

A

Any body cell that is not a gamete.

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15
Q

Where do adult stem cells come from?

A

Bone marrow

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16
Q

What are the uses of adult stem cells?

A

Growth and repair

17
Q

Compare multipotent and pluripotent stem cells.

A

Pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into almost any kind of cell. Multipotent stem cells can differentiate into most cells.

18
Q

Describe how induced pluripotent cells can be produced.

A

The genetics of cells are altered to have characteristics of embryonic stem cells by inducing genes and transcription factors.

19
Q

Why must induced pluripotent stem cells be produced from an individuals own body cells?

A

To prevent rejection.

20
Q

Explain what multipotent cells are.

A

Adult stem cells that can only differentiate into a small number of cells.
Eg: cardiac tissue cells may differentiate into cardiac muscle cells etc

21
Q

What are unipotent cells?

A

Adult stem cells that can only differentiate into their own cell type after dividing.
For example, heart muscle cells will only divide into heart muscle cells.

22
Q

Give 2 characteristics of stem cells.

A

Can differentiate into many types of cell.
Can replace themselves by continuing to divide.