Stem Cells Flashcards
(19 cards)
What are the two defining properties of stem cells?
Self-renewal and the ability to differentiate into specialized cell types.
What is the embryonic origin of embryonic stem cells (ESCs)?
The inner cell mass (ICM) of the blastocyst.
What structure does the trophectoderm give rise to during development?
The placenta.
What term describes the ability of a cell to form all body and extraembryonic tissues?
Totipotency.
Which transcription factors are used to induce pluripotency in iPSCs?
Oct-4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc.
Which type of stem cell is tissue-specific and found in adults?
Adult stem cells (e.g., hematopoietic stem cells).
What is a unipotent stem cell?
A stem cell that can differentiate into only one specific cell type.
What is the difference between pluripotent and multipotent stem cells?
Pluripotent cells can form all body cell types; multipotent cells can form multiple types within a specific tissue.
Which type of stem cell is derived from cord blood or amniotic fluid?
Fetal stem cells.
What allows embryonic stem cells to maintain their pluripotency in culture?
The presence of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF).
Name one major medical application of stem cells in regenerative medicine.
Repair of spinal cord injuries, treatment of heart disease, or neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s.
What is therapeutic cloning used for?
Creating tissues or organs for transplantation.
Why are iPSCs considered ethically preferable to ESCs?
They do not require the destruction of embryos.
What can ESCs form in vivo that demonstrates their pluripotency?
Teratomas (tumor-like structures with multiple tissue types).
How are stem cells useful in drug testing?
They provide human tissue models to screen drugs for toxicity and effectiveness.
What role do transcription factors like Oct-4 and Nanog play in stem cells?
They help maintain pluripotency.
What does the term stem cell niche refer to?
The specific microenvironment where adult stem cells reside and are regulated.
What is gene targeting in the context of ESCs?
Modifying genes within ESCs for potential treatment or research purposes.
What is the first developmental stage where totipotent cells exist?
The zygote and early cleavage-stage blastomeres.
