Stem cells 2

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the Cell Biology & Biochemistry lecture notes.

Morphogenesis

The acquisition and development of structural and functional features in an organism.

Totipotent

Cells from early stage embryos capable of differentiating into every type of adult cell.

Cell Differentiation

The process through which cells acquire specific structure and function, resulting from differential gene expression.

Gene Expression

The way in which genetic information is put into action, leading to the production of proteins that determine an organism’s traits.

Transcription Factors

DNA-binding proteins that affect gene expression by binding to regulatory regions of a gene, either turning genes on or off.

mRNA in situ hybridization

A method to study differential gene expression patterns using labelled RNA probes complementary to the target mRNA.

Immunocytochemistry (ICC) / Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

Methods to study differential gene expression patterns using labelled antibodies to target specific proteins.

Reporter Gene

A gene (e.g., lacZ, GFP) used in transgenic animals to study gene expression patterns; it is expressed in the expression domain of the gene of interest.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death, a finely regulated process during development and morphogenesis.

Necrosis

Non-controlled or traumatic cell death.