Stem Cell Lecture Flashcards

Flashcards covering vocabulary and definitions related to stem cells, pluripotency, and regeneration.

Stem Cell

Cells that can divide and self-renew for long periods, are unspecialized, and can give rise to specialized cells through differentiation.

Totipotent

Cells that can generate the full embryo plus the placenta and extraembryonic tissues (e.g., zygote cells).

Pluripotent

Cells that can generate all cells in the embryo (embryonic stem cell (ESC), induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)).

Multipotent

Cells that can become more than one type of specialized cell (e.g., hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)).

Unipotent

Cells that can only give rise to one type of specialized cell (e.g., muscle stem cell).

Progenitor Cell

An intermediate cell type between stem cells and differentiated cells with a reduced capacity for self-renewal.

Stem Cell Niche

The stem cell’s environment that is key to its fate determination.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs)

Adult stem cells in the bone marrow that differentiate into various blood cell types.

Erythropoietin

A hormone that influences erythropoiesis (red blood cell production).

Colony Stimulating Factors (CSFs)

Signaling molecules that influence neutrophil and macrophage production.

Reprogramming

The process of altering a cell's fate, such as in the experimental derivation of iPSCs.

Embryoid Bodies

A method for experimental derivation of ESCs.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)

Cells created from reprogramming differentiated cells to regain pluripotency.

Teratoma Formation

A method for experimental derivation of ESCs.

Transcription Regulators

A core set of these defines and maintains the ES Cell State