Stem Cells and Developmental Biology Flashcards

Flashcards based on lecture notes about stem cells, developmental biology, and related concepts.

Stem Cell

An undifferentiated/unspecialized cell with unlimited capacity to divide and self-renew. It can create different cell types through differentiation.

Self-Renewal

The ability of a stem cell to divide and create more stem cells, either through asymmetric or symmetric division.

Asymmetric Division (Stem Cell)

A division where a stem cell divides into one stem cell and one committed cell.

Symmetric Division (Stem Cell)

Stem cells divide to produce two stem cells or two committed cells.

Potency

The capacity of a stem cell to differentiate into different cell types.

Totipotent

The ability of a cell to differentiate into all possible cell types, including embryo and extra-embryonic tissues (e.g., fertilized egg/first cleavages).

Pluripotent

The ability of a cell to differentiate into all cell types of the three germ layers (Embryonic stem cells (ESC)).

Multipotent

The ability of a cell to differentiate into multiple cell types within a specific lineage (e.g., adult stem cells such as hematopoietic stem cells).

Unipotent

The ability of a cell to differentiate into only one cell type (e.g., spermatogonia -> spermacellen ).

Differentiation

The process by which a cell changes from one cell type to another

Specification

A step in the differentiation process where the cell's fate is reversible.

Determination

A step in the differentiation process where the cell's fate is irreversible.

Cell Differentiation (Molecular)

The process of expressing cell-specific genes and turning off other genes (differential gene expression).

Basal Transcription Factors (TF)

Bind to the promoter region of a gene.

Enhancer

DNA region where cell-specific transcription factors bind to regulate gene expression.

Chromatin

The structure composed of nucleosomes that organizes DNA in the nucleus.

Euchromatin

Open chromatin state, transcriptionally active.

Heterochromatin

Closed chromatin state, transcriptionally inactive.

Histone Modification

Chemical modifications (e.g., acetylation, methylation) on histone tails that affect chromatin status and gene expression.

Stem Cell Niche

The microenvironment surrounding stem cells that regulates self-renewal and differentiation.

Adult Stem Cells

Stem cells found in adult tissues that maintain and repair the tissue.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs)

Adult stem cells that give rise to all blood cell types.

Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs)

Pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst.

Inner Cell Mass (ICM)

The source of embryonic stem cells within the blastocyst.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)

Somatic cells that have been reprogrammed to a pluripotent state.

Reprogramming

The process of converting a differentiated cell into a pluripotent stem cell.

Organoids

3D cell cultures that mimic the structure and function of organs.

Tissue Engineering

Combining cells, scaffolds, and bioactive molecules to create functional tissues or organs.