Stem Cells Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes about stem cells.

Stem Cell

Cell with potential to make other cell types and self-renewal capability.

Self-renewal

The ability of a stem cell to bypass senescence and create more stem cells.

Totipotent

Can generate a whole new multicellular organism.

Pluripotent

Can give rise to most cell types, but not all.

Multipotent/Progenitors

Lack self-renewal capacity but used in designated differentiation programs.

Planaria

Freshwater flatworms which can regenerate from even a small piece of tissue.

Blastema

Embryonic limb bud formed in newt limb regeneration.

Lymphocytes

Immune cells (B & T) that make antibodies and kill virus-infected cells.

Granulocytes

Grouped based on staining and function.

Monocytes

Make macrophages.

Red Blood Cells

Carry oxygen.

Megakaryocytes

Shed platelets.

HSC

Hematopoietic stem cell; cell's ability to replace entire bone marrow system through a transplant

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)

Donor cells removed from mammary gland

Embryonic stem cells

Can be gathered from inner cell mass of blastocyst and used to make any cell type in the organism (except placental cells).

Transcription factors

Define and maintain embryonic stem cell state.

induced pluripotent stem cells

Fibroblasts ‘revert’ to an embryonic like state.