The concept of potency means the capability of the stem cell to transform or change into different cell types.
b. List and define the 4 different types of potency (3 marks).
Four types of potency are:
Totipotent – this type of potency means that the stem cell can produce and differentiate into any type of cell in the body. It can also form the extraembryonic or placental cells.
Pluripotent – this type of potency can give rise to all the cell types of the body. That means any of the cells that are formed from the three germ layers.
Oligopotent – this type of potency allows stem cells to segregate into only a few cells, such as lymphoid or myeloid stem cells.
Unipotent – this type of potency allows stem cells to produce only one cell type which is their own or replicate the stem cell itself. However, it is capable of self-renewal, which separates them from non-stem cells.
c. Define a stem cell (2 marks). What are stem cells in our bodies used for? (2 marks)
Stem cells are cells that give way to form our entire body. The stem cell divides to give rise to both more stem cells and specialized cells such as epithelial cells that make up our skin. Only stem cells can carry out this particular function. Stem cells play an important role in repairing and regenerating cells as well as replacing damaged cells and tissues.
Types of Stem Cells
d. What is a progenitor cell? (2 marks)
A progenitor cell is a multipotent hematopoietic cell that gives rise to many types of cells but only in a specific family. Such as red blood cells and …show more content…
elegans. Mitotic GSCs are in close proximity to the distal cap cell, the somatic cell responsible for maintaining adjacent cells in an undifferentiated state. Once GSCs are several cell layers removed from the distal cap cells, they differentiate and undergo meiosis
a. Define the term “stem cell niche”. (2