Stem Cell Lecture Notes Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards about stem cells and related topics, based on lecture notes.

Stem Cell

A cell type that can differentiate into other cell types besides itself.

Asymmetric Cell Division

Cell division where a stem cell produces one stem cell and one differentiated cell.

Cell Differentiation

Signaling and differentiation factors in the cell environment that influence specialization.

Totipotent

Can become any cell type in the body (e.g., zygote, early embryo).

Pluripotent

Can become almost all cell types (e.g., embryonic stem cells).

Multipotent

Can become multiple cell types within a lineage (e.g., hematopoietic stem cells).

Unipotent

Can become only one type of cell (e.g., muscle stem cells).

Meselson and Stahl Experiment

Grew bacteria with 'heavy' nucleotides, then switched to 'light' nucleotides. Showed semiconservative replication.

Perfusion Bioreactor

A complex 3D model used in cell culture.

Decellularization

A technique to remove cells from a tissue or organ, leaving behind the extracellular matrix.

Microcarriers

Small spheres used as a support for cell attachment and growth in bioreactors.

RNA interference of B-catenin

Causes inappropriate regeneration of a head instead of a tail at posterior amputation in certain organisms.

Regeneration

The process of returning a site to its original state after damage or injury.

Platelets

Cells that act first during the healing process.

p16

A marker of cellular senescence.

Proliferation

Stage of healing where granulation tissue formation occurs.

Replicative Senescence

Due to a limited number of cell divisions.

iPS (induced Pluripotent Stem) cells

Cells that are artificially derived from somatic cells and have properties similar to embryonic stem cells.

Cell Microenvironment

The composition of the environment around the cell, including nutrients, signaling molecules, and extracellular matrix.

CD (Cluster Differentiation)

Used to identify and isolate specific cell types, such as stem cells, for targeted transplantation.

Quiescent Cell

Dormant and not dividing (e.g., stem cells in the bone marrow).

Senescent Cell

Metabolically active but no longer divide.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy given before surgery to shrink a tumor.

Natural Killer T-lymphocytes

Cells involved in recognizing abnormal (transplanted, infected or malignant) cells that do not carry the appropriate HLA proteins.

Culturing on Feeder Cells

Prevents embryonic stem cells from spontaneously differentiating in culture.

Blastema

Structure that forms in planaria after amputation to regenerate the missing tissue.

Cardiomyocytes (in Zebrafish)

Cells which proliferate to regenerate cardiac tissue in zebrafish.

Telomere Shortening

Phenomenon that limits the number of cell divisions before entering replicative senescence.

Immunosurgery

Technique used to isolate the inner cell mass from the blastocyst.

Paracrine Signaling

Signaling molecules secreted by mesenchymal stem cells acting on neighboring cells.