Cell Specialization and Differentiation

Flashcards about cell specialization, differentiation, and stem cells.

Cell Specialization

The process by which cells develop specific shapes, sizes, and protein compositions to perform particular functions with increased efficiency.

Differentiation

The development of specialized structures and functions in cells, determined by differential gene expression.

Morphogens

Signaling molecules that direct cell fate decisions in a concentration-dependent manner during embryonic development.

Stem Cell

An undifferentiated cell that can divide indefinitely to create more stem cells and differentiate into specialized cell types.

Embryonic Stem Cells

Pluripotent stem cells found in the early embryo that can differentiate into any body cell type.

Adult Stem Cells

Multipotent stem cells found in specific niches within adult tissues that can differentiate into multiple, related cell types.

Stem Cell Niche

Specific area within a tissue where stem cells reside and receive signals that influence their fate.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell

Multipotent adult stem cell found in bone marrow that gives rise to all types of blood cells.

Hair Follicle Stem Cell

Multipotent adult stem cell found in the bulge region of hair follicles that can differentiate into different types of skin cells.

Totipotent

Stem cells with the “entire potential” to become any body cell, including the placenta (e.g., a zygote).

Pluripotent

Stem cells with “many potentials” that can become any body cell (but not the placenta; e.g., inner cell mass of a blastocyst).

Multipotent

Stem cells with “multiple potentials” that have partially differentiated but can still become multiple, related cell types (e.g., adult stem cells).

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC)

Adult cells that have been reprogrammed to form pluripotent stem cells.

Surface Area to Volume Ratio

A constraint on cell size where a high ratio is needed for efficient exchange of materials.

B-Lymphocytes

White blood cells that produce and secrete antibodies; increase in size during active infection due to increased rough-ER and Golgi apparatuses.

Cerebellar Granule Cells

Small interneurons in the cerebellum responsible for integrating sensory information and motor activity.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that send information from the central nervous system to muscles and glands; have long axons for rapid transmission of information.

Fertilization

A multi-step process in which a sperm and egg fuse to form a single cell called a zygote.

Zygote

A single cell formed by the fusion of a sperm and egg during fertilization.