CSB329H1 Study Guide - Comprehensive Final Exam Guide - Stem Cell, Cell Potency, Gene
20 Nov 2018
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Lecture 1(a): introduction to stem cells: potency is the number of possible fates available to a cell, potent = having the power to achieve a certain fate. Few cells (i. e. blood stem cells); their potency decreases with age. Fertilized eggs: first few cells making up the zygote in the morula stage, cells are known to being totipotent. Capable of reproducing the entire organism: during the blastocyst stage, within them are inner mass cells which are the source of embryonic stem cells, cells are known to being pluripotent. Normal development and tissue homeostasis and regeneration are dependent on stem cells. Aka" the survival of multicellular organisms are dependent on stem cells. Degrees of potency: totipotent, capable of generating new embryos. Zygote in mammals; remain totipotent until the morula stage (16 cell stage) In mice, both cells of a two stage embryo are not totipotent: pluripotent, completely undifferentiated master cells that can make any tissue/cell in the body.
