Stem cells

Cards (16)

What are the characteristics of totipotent cells?
can differentiate into any type of body cell
What cells can pluripotent cells differentiate into?
Can differentiate into every type of cell apart from placenta
What can multipotent cells differentiate into?
Limited number of cells
What cells can unipotent cells differentiate into?
One cell type- the same cell
What does iPS stand for?
Induced pluripotent stem cells
How are iPS cells used?
To overcome the ethical issues associated with stem cell research
Where are totipotent cells found?
In the early stages of the embryo, the lining of the small intestine, skin and bone marrow
Where are pluripotent cells found?
The inner mass of a blastocyst (embryos from day 4-16)
Where are multipotent cells found?
Bone marrow, umbilical cord and placenta
Where are unipotent cells found?
Everywhere
What are cardiomyocytes?
Specialised heart muscle cells
What is special about stem cells?
They retain the ability to differentiate
What is the ratio of specialised cells produced and stem cells being self renewed?
4:1
What does potency mean?
A measure of how many types of specialised cells a stem cell can make
In the UK, who is allowed to conduct stem cell research?
Those under licensed and specific conditions
How do people donate stem cells?
Through their hip being drilled into