Practice Flashcards
Flip to reveal answersWhat is a stem cell?
Track your progress — Sign up free to save your progress and get smart review reminders based on spaced repetition.
All 12 Flashcards — Stem cells and potency
Sign up free to track progress and get spaced-repetition review schedules.
Question
What is a stem cell?
Answer
An **unspecialized** cell that can **self-renew** (keep dividing) and **differentiate** into specialized cell types.
Question
What are the two defining properties of a stem cell?
Answer
**Self-renewal** (divides to make more stem cells) and **differentiation** (becomes specialized cells). Both are needed.
Question
Define potency.
Answer
A measure of **how many different cell types** a stem cell can differentiate into.
Question
What does totipotent mean, and give an example?
Answer
Can become **any cell type plus the placenta**. Example: the **zygote** / very early embryo.
Question
What does pluripotent mean, and give an example?
Answer
Can become **any cell type of the body** (but not the placenta). Example: **embryonic stem cells**.
Question
What does multipotent mean, and give an example?
Answer
Can become a **limited family of related** cell types. Example: **blood-forming cells in red bone marrow**.
Question
What does unipotent mean?
Answer
Can become **only one** cell type.
Question
What is the key difference between totipotent and pluripotent cells?
Answer
**Totipotent** cells can also form the **placenta**; **pluripotent** cells cannot.
Question
How does potency change as cells develop?
Answer
Potency **decreases** (and specialization increases) as cells differentiate — adult stem cells are usually only multipotent or unipotent.
Question
What is a stem-cell niche?
Answer
The **location in the body** where a particular stem cell is found (e.g. red bone marrow for blood-forming stem cells).
Question
Classify a blood-forming stem cell by potency and niche.
Answer
**Multipotent** (forms the family of blood cells); niche = the **red bone marrow**.
Question
Where are pluripotent stem cells found in a developing organism?
Answer
In the **early embryo** — they are the **embryonic stem cells**.
Read the notes
Full study notes for Stem cells and potency
Topic 2.5 hub
Cell specialization
More from Topic 2.5
All flashcards in this topic
Biology exam skills
Paper structures & tips
Track your progress with spaced repetition
Sign up free — Aimnova tells you exactly which cards to review and when, so you remember everything before your IB exam.
Start Free