Stem cells, specialized cells, fertilization

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Stem cell

• cells that lack a specific function

• Can transform into specific cell types, tissue, or organs to repair damaged or dieased tissue

• Can divide repeatedly to copy itself, maintaining a supply of stem cells before specializing. (self renewal)

[Traveler and potential to have multiple visons]

Differinciation

• the biological process where unspecialized cells (such as stem cells) change into specialized cells with distinct physical structures and specific functions

Totipotent stem cells

• Found in very early embryo (first few cell divisons after fertilization)

• Can differnciate into ALL types of cells, even form a complete organism.

• Ex. Zygote/fertilized egg.

Pluripotent stem cells

• Ability to differenciate into any cell type but not become a complete human/organism

• ex. embryonic stem cell (from blastocyst)

Multipotent stem cells

• Ability to differnciate into a closely related family of cells.

• They are cells from an early embryo. (ex. blood cells can be white, red blood cells or platelets.)

• ex. Adult stem cells.