1C Stem Cells

Question 1

what are stem cells?

Answer 1

a stem cell is a cell that is undifferentiated, or partially undifferentiated, and therefore can divide by mitosis into cells that can differentiate into various cell types.

Question 2

what are the different types of stem cells?

Answer 2

totipotent, pluripotent, and multipotent stem cells

Question 3

totipotent stem cells

Answer 3

have all their genes turned on. they are fully undifferentiated

Question 4

pluripotent stem cells

Answer 4

can differentiate to become any type of cell in the body

Question 5

multipotent stem cells

Answer 5

cells at earlier stages of embryonic development have greater potency. they have the potential to differentiate into more different cell types

Question 6

unipotent stem cells

Answer 6

the spermatogonial stem cells ( or male germline stem cells) that divide to produce sperm are a great example of unipotent stem cells.