Stem Cells, Cell Asymmetry, and Cell Death

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to stem cells, cell division, differentiation, and apoptosis based on the lecture notes.

Stem cells

Unspecialized cells that divide to produce more stem cells and can differentiate into various specialized cell types.

Asymmetric cell division

A type of cell division that results in daughter cells that have different sizes, shapes, and protein compositions.

Pluripotent stem cells

Cells that can differentiate into any cell type in the body, derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)

A technique used to create a clone by transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell into an enucleated egg cell.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells)

Adult cells that are reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state, capable of becoming any cell type.

Apoptosis

A process of programmed cell death that involves a series of biochemical events leading to characteristic cell changes and death.

Caspases

Proteolytic enzymes that play essential roles in apoptosis by cleaving target proteins in a cell.

Stem cell niche

The microenvironment surrounding stem cells that provides regulatory signals necessary for their maintenance and differentiation.

Differential gene expression

The process by which cells use different subsets of genes to produce different RNA and protein products.

Cellular differentiation

The process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type.

Necrosis

Uncontrolled cell death resulting from injury, characterized by cell swelling and rupture.

Wnt signaling pathway

A complex network of proteins involved in cell signaling pathways that influence cell proliferation, migration, and fate.

Transcription factors

Proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences to regulate the transcription of genetic information.

Multipotent stem cells

Stem cells that can differentiate into multiple but limited cell types, typically found in adults.

Extrinsic apoptosis

Apoptosis triggered by external signals, such as binding of ligands to death receptors on the cell surface.

Intrinsic apoptosis

Apoptosis initiated from within the cell, often due to stress signals like DNA damage.

Epithelial cells

Cells that line the surfaces of organs and structures throughout the body, having distinct polarity.

Gene expression restriction

The process by which certain genes are turned off or not expressed in a cell, contributing to its specific functions.

Organoids

Three-dimensional structures derived from stem cells that mimic the architecture and function of organs.

Ethical concerns in stem cell research

Concerns regarding the moral implications of using human embryos for research and the related regulations.