BIOL 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 23: Adult Stem Cell, Unipotent, Cell Potency
Document Summary
Concept 1: differentiation transforms stem cells into specialized cells. Differentiation - transformation where cells acquire characteristic changes in size, shape, and function in order to perform a special role in body maintenance. Stem cells - foundation of embryonic development for two important reasons: They can replenish themselves in a process called self-renewal that guarantees a continual population of stem cells. Can divide to form subsets of cells able to differentiate. Totipotent stem cells - have unlimited potential and can form every type of cell. Present from the point of fertilization (the zygote) through the first several cleavage divisions. Can form any cell type in the future embryo, as well as the extra-embryonic tissues like the placenta. Pluripotent stem cells - can give rise to most, but not all cell types. Commonly referred to as embryonic stem ells since they can form ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm, and all the cell types derived from these germ layers.
