Cell Differentiation & Apoptosis

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to cell differentiation and apoptosis based on the lecture notes.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells capable of dividing infinitely and generating differentiated tissues.

Totipotent

Cells that can become any cell type or germ layer; for example, a zygote.

Pluripotent

Cells that can become any cell type derived from its germ layer, typically found in embryos from the blastula to gastrula stages.

Multipotent

Cells that can differentiate into a limited number of cell types based on the tissue in which they reside.

Progenitor Cells

Partially differentiated cells that can give rise to specific types of cells, such as blood cells.

Polarity

The uneven distribution of cellular components that leads to asymmetric cell division and differentiation.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death involving self-destruction by fragmentation.

Necroptosis

A type of programmed cell death triggered by cell damage, leading to inflammation.

Necrosis

Accidental cell death that causes the release of cellular contents into the extracellular matrix.

Gene Expression Changes

Alterations in the activity of genes that can lead to differentiation and the specialization of cells.

• uneven distribution of cellular components(polarity) provides daughter cells with select transcription factors

• SOX2, OCT4, NANOG

Epigenetic Changes

Changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence, such as DNA methylation.

Caspases

Proteases activated during apoptosis that play a key role in the dismantling of the cell.

P53

A major protein that activates apoptosis in response to cellular damage.

Inflammation

The body's response to injury, causing increased blood flow, white blood cell recruitment, and potential changes in cellular metabolism.

Germ Layers

Three basic tissue types in animals: endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm, which develop from pluripotent stem cells.

Asymmetric Cell Division

A process where daughter cells receive different distributions of cellular components.