Life and Death of Cells - Block 1

Question 1

What four kinds of light microscope are there?

Answer 1

• Bright field
• Phase contrast (RI differences shown as contrast)
• Differential interference contrast (converts local RI differences to contrast)
• Fluorescence

Question 2

What are the 2 kinds of electron microscopy?

Answer 2

> Transmission EM (high res; thin samples)

> Scanning EM (lower res; surface of thick samples)

Question 3

What are quiescent cells?

Answer 3

Cells in a non-dividing state.

Question 4

What are mitogens // growth factors?

Answer 4

Small peptide groups that stimulate cell division.

Question 5

What alternatives are there to create ESCs that genetically match a patient?

Answer 5

> Therapeutic cloning: Transfer a somatic cell nucleus to an egg (nucleus removed)

> Convert adult somatic cells to iPSCs (similar to ESCs)

Question 6

How can a cell make two different daughter cells? (2 ways)

Answer 6

A. Divide asymmetrically; proteins are distributed asymmetrically to daughter cells.

B. Symmetrical division; one cell then becomes different due to external signals

Question 7

How do stem cells produce more stem cells? (2 ways)

Answer 7

A. Niche keeps dividing cells as stem cells

B. Control division axis; either asymmetric division makes one daughter a stem cell, or both stay stem cells

Question 8

What 3 conditions are needed for asymmetrical division of a cell?

Answer 8

1. Cell polarity established
2. Cell Fate Determinants located asymmetrically
3. Mitotic spindle aligned correctly

Question 9

What is necrosis?

Answer 9

Accidental cell death

Question 10

Why might a cell undergo apoptosis? (3 reasons)

Answer 10

A. It is developmentally predetermined to

B. It is selected to

C. It is defective / harmful