Cell Differentiation Lecture Review

Flashcards on cell differentiation, stem cells, and gene expression for exam preparation.

Cell Differentiation

Mechanism where different sorts of cells arise during development, acquiring properties of mature, functional cells.

Symmetrical Division

Cell division producing two daughter cells with the same fate.

Asymmetrical Division

Cell division producing one cell that re-enters the cell cycle and another that differentiates.

Stem Cell

Undifferentiated cell that can self-renew and divide to produce differentiated cell types.

Cardinal Feature of a Stem Cell

Self-renewal; the ability to replace itself.

Progenitor Cells

Proliferative cells with a limited capacity for division that may not necessarily replace themselves.

Potency of Stem Cells

The number of different types of cells that can differentiate from a stem cell, which becomes restricted over time.

Totipotent

Ability of a zygote to generate all cells in the embryo and extraembryonic lineages.

Pluripotent

Ability of embryonic stem cells to make all cell types in the embryo, but not extraembryonic cell types.

Multipotent

Ability of cells to generate a range, but not all, of the cell types found in the embryo.

Unipotent

Stem cells that can only give rise to a particular cell type.

Adult Stem Cells

Multipotent stem cells found in adult tissues, important for tissue maintenance and repair.

Specification

Cells that will develop autonomously when placed in culture, but can change if moved to a different environment.

Determination

Cells that develop autonomously in culture and will stick to their fate regardless of external signals.

Regulation

Ability of cells in early development to compensate for removed or rearranged parts.

Genomic Equivalence

The concept that all cells in the body contain the same DNA.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that bind to DNA to regulate gene transcription, controlling which genes are turned on or off.

Signaling Molecules

Bind to receptors and set up a cascade of changes within a cell, influencing how transcription factors function.

Cytoplasmic Determinants

Substances localized to parts of an egg or blastomere, causing inherited cells to acquire a particular developmental commitment.

Extracellular Signals

Signals acting on receptors to induce specific responses in cells.

Induction

Process where signals from one group of cells influence the fate of another group of cells.

Morphogens

Molecules that induce different responses based on their concentration, forming a signaling gradient.

Lateral Inhibition

Signaling that prevents cells from adopting the same fate, involving cell contact and notch signaling.

Dedifferentiation

Loss of differentiation characteristics, associated with regeneration.

Transdifferentiation

Change of one differentiated cell into another, associated with regeneration or pathological conditions.

Yamanaka Factors

Four transcription factors sufficient to reprogram differentiated adult cells back into an embryonic stem cell-like fate.