Stem Cells Flashcards
(28 cards)
What are stem cells?
A cell that has the ability to continuously divide and differentiate into other cell/tissue types.
How are stem cells different from other cells?
Stem cells can differentiate (take on a specialized function), unlike other cells in the body.
What is the importance of stem cells?
They can replace cells that have died and replace defective cells/tissues in patients with certain diseases or defects.
What is self-renewal in stem cells?
Self-renewal is the capacity of stem cells to replicate themselves, producing both a copy and a differentiated cell.
How can stem cells help with cancers?
Studies show that leukemia patients treated with stem cells can emerge free of disease
What are some tissue repair applications of stem cells?
Regenerate spinal cord, heart tissue, or other major tissues in the body.
How can stem cells help with autoimmune diseases?
Stem cells can be used to treat autoimmune diseases like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis (MS).
Stage 1 of embryo development: What is a zygote?
The first cell formed after fertilization of the egg by sperm, created in the fallopian tube.
Stage 2 of embryo development: What is a morula?
A morula is 3-4 days old with 16 cells and arrives in the uterus.
Stage 3 of embryo development: What is a blastocyst?
A blastocyst consists of the inner cell mass (which will become the fetus) and the trophoblast (which will form the placenta). It implants into the endometrium lining of the uterus.
Stage 4 of embryo development: What is a gastrula?
A gastrula forms on day 16 (3 weeks) when the blastocyst folds into three germ layers: innermost (endoderm), middle (mesoderm), and outer (ectoderm). These stem cells create all structures, cells, and organs in the developing embryo.
What is potency in stem cells?
Potency is a measure of the capacity of a stem cell to differentiate into different cell types.
Stage 5 of embryo development: What is a fetus?
A fetus at 9 weeks has most organs and systems formed and continues to grow until 38 weeks, when it is born as a baby.
How is potency related to the number of cell types a stem cell can differentiate into?
The more cell types a stem cell can differentiate into, the greater its potency.
What are totipotent stem cells?
Totipotent stem cells can differentiate into ANY cell type.
E.g Zygote (first cell) after fertilization – forms placenta and cells of foetus
What are pluripotent stem cells?
Pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into MULTIPLE cell types.
E.g. Embyronic stem cells: Morula & blastocyst
What are multipotent stem cells?
Multipotent stem cells can differentiate into a LIMITED number of specialized cell types within a specific tissue or organ.
Examples include the mesoderm, endoderm, and ectoderm from the gastrula stage.
What are embryonic stem cells?
Embryonic stem cells come from a very early stage of development, about 4–5 days after fertilization, and can replicate indefinitely.
What are adult stem cells?
Adult stem cells are found in adults and are responsible for the maintenance and repair of tissues. They cannot replicate indefinitely.
What are induced (reprogrammed) pluripotent stem cells?
Induced pluripotent stem cells are specialized cells, such as skin cells, that can be reprogrammed back into pluripotent stem cells, reversing their differentiation.
Where can adult stem cells be found in the body?
Adult stem cells can be found in skin, fat cells, bone marrow, umbilical cord, brain, and other tissues.
What are the advantages of using umbilical cord stem cells?
Umbilical cord stem cells are less invasive than extracting from bone marrow, have greater compatibility (can be injected into different tissues), and are less expensive.
What are the three important functions of umbilical cord stem cells?
Potential to change into other cell types, like nerve cells.
Ability to travel to the site of tissue damage.
Can unite with other tissues.
How do the self-renewal capabilities of embryonic and adult stem cells differ?
Embryonic stem cells have near indefinite self-renewal.
Adult stem cells have limited self-renewal.
