Cell Differentiation and Development

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to cell differentiation and embryonic development.

Blastocyst

A hollow ball of cells formed after fertilization, consisting of an inner cell mass and a fluid-filled cavity.

Gastrulation

The process during embryonic development that forms the three primary germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.

Differentiation

The process by which unspecialized stem cells become specialized cells with distinct functions.

Epigenetic Marks

Chemical modifications to DNA that affect gene expression without changing the DNA sequence.

Totipotent

Stem cells that can differentiate into any cell type, including embryonic tissues and placenta.

Pluripotent

Stem cells that can differentiate into many cell types but not all, such as those that make up the three germ layers.

Mesenchyme

A loosely organized connective tissue that can differentiate into various cell types, formed from mesoderm.

Epithelial Cells

Cells that are tightly joined to form layers or sheets, usually involved in covering surfaces and protecting tissues.

Cadherins

Proteins that mediate cell-cell adhesion in epithelial tissues.

Integrins

Proteins that mediate cell-matrix adhesion and play a role in communication between cells and their extracellular environment.

Primitive Streak

An embryonic structure that establishes the body axes of the embryo during gastrulation.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into different cell types and can replicate themselves.

Germ Layers

The three primary layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm) that give rise to all tissues and organs.

Morphogen Gradients

Concentration gradients of signaling molecules that guide cell differentiation and development.

Cell Adhesion

The process by which cells interact and attach to neighboring cells and the extracellular matrix.

Mesoderm Induction

The process by which the mesoderm layer is formed during gastrulation through interactions between ectoderm and endoderm.