Flashcards on Pluripotent Stem Cells

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts associated with pluripotent stem cells, their characteristics, types, and applications in regenerative medicine.

Pluripotency

The ability of stem cells to differentiate into various cell types, including cells from all three embryonic germ layers.

Self-renewal

The ability of stem cells to divide and produce more stem cells over long periods.

Potency

The range of cell types that a stem cell can become; pluripotent cells can become all cell types except extraembryonic tissues.

Ectoderm

The outermost layer of cells in the embryo that develops into structures like skin and nervous system.

Mesoderm

The middle layer of cells in the embryo that develops into structures such as muscle and bone.

Endoderm

The innermost layer of cells in the embryo that forms internal organs such as the digestive system.

Extended potential pluripotent stem cells (EPSCs)

A category of pluripotent stem cells capable of contributing to both embryonic and extraembryonic tissues.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)

Somatic cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state.

Transcription factors

Proteins that regulate the transcription of genes and play a critical role in maintaining pluripotency.

Oct-4

A transcription factor essential for maintaining pluripotency in stem cells.

SSEA-3 and SSEA-4

Cell-surface antigens that are markers of pluripotent stem cells.

Teratoma

A type of tumor that can form from pluripotent stem cells, containing cells from all three germ layers.

Chimera

An organism made up of cells from two or more different zygotes.

Naïve pluripotent stem cells

Stem cells that are similar to the preimplantation inner cell mass and have not yet committed to any lineage.

Primed pluripotent stem cells

Stem cells that are more committed toward lineage-specific developmental pathways, reflecting a post-implantation state.

Nuclear transfer

A method of reprogramming cells by transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell into an enucleated egg cell.

Cell fusion

The process of combining two cells into one, which can lead to reprogramming.

Reproductive cloning

A cloning method aimed at creating an organism that is genetically identical to the source organism.

Therapeutic cloning

Cloning intended to harvest stem cells, with the aim of treating diseases.

Epigenetic resetting

The process of erasing the epigenetic marks from cells to revert them to a more pluripotent state.

LIF (Leukemia Inhibitory Factor)

A cytokine necessary for the maintenance of naïve embryonic stem cells.

FGF2 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 2)

A growth factor essential for the maintenance of human embryonic stem cells.

hESCs (Human Embryonic Stem Cells)

Pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass of human blastocysts.

mESCs (Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells)

Pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass of mouse blastocysts.

Chimeras

Organisms composed of cells from different genetic origins that result from the fusion of multiple zygotes.