6.5 Stem Cells

Question 1

Stem cell

Answer 1

Undifferentiated cells originating from mitosis or meiosis. Not adapted but has potential to differentiate to become any cell type

Question 2

Potency

Answer 2

Stem cells ability to differentiate into different cell types

Question 3

Totipotent

Answer 3

Able to differentiate into any type of cell. Fertilised egg, or zygote and 8 or 16 cells from its first few mitotic divisions are totipotent

Question 4

Pluripotent

Answer 4

Can form all tissue types but not whole organisms

Question 5

Multipotent

Answer 5

Only able to form a range of cells within a certain tissue type

Question 6

Embryonic stem cell

Answer 6

Present at early stage of embryo development. Totipotent. After ~7 days a blastocyst forms. Cells are totipotent

Question 7

Blastocyst

Answer 7

Mass of cells formed in early embryonic stage

Question 8

Tissue (adult) stem cells

Answer 8

Present throughout life. Found in specific areas eg. bone marrow and are multipotent. Can be artificially triggered to be totipotent.

Question 9

Meristem

Answer 9

Area where stem cells are present