Stem Cells

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Stem Cell Noun

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[stem sel]

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Stem Cell

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An unspecialized cell that can divide indefinitely to become many different types of specialized cells in an organism.

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Example: A stem cell is an unspecialized cell that can develop into many different types of specialized cells, such as nerve, muscle, or blood cells.

Front

Specialized Cell Noun

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[spesh-uh-lahyzd sel]

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Specialized Cell

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A cell that is uniquely designed to carry out a particular role or function within the body's tissues and organs.

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Example: This diagram shows a nerve cell, a type of specialized cell. Its unique shape is adapted for its specific job of sending signals.

Front

Unspecialized Cell Noun

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[un-spesh-uh-lahyzd sel]

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Unspecialized Cell

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A cell that has not yet developed a specific function or structure, which is a key characteristic of a stem cell.

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Example: An unspecialized stem cell can develop (differentiate) into many different types of specialized cells, such as muscle cells, blood cells, and liver cells.

Front

Self-renewal Noun

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[self-ri-noo-uhl]

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Self-renewal

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The process by which stem cells divide to make more stem cells, ensuring their population is maintained over time.

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Example: This diagram shows a stem cell dividing to create more stem cells. This process, indicated by the black arrows, is called self-renewal.

Front

Potency Noun

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[poh-tuhn-see]

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Potency

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The capacity of a stem cell to differentiate into various specialized cell types, ranging from limited to all types.

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Example: This diagram shows how stem cell potency decreases, from a totipotent cell that can become anything, to pluripotent and multipotent cells with more limited futures.

Front

Differentiation Noun

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[dif-er-en-shee-ey-shuhn]

Back

Differentiation

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The process by which an unspecialized cell, like a stem cell, develops into a specialized cell with a specific function.

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Example: This diagram shows how unspecialized stem cells undergo differentiation to become many different types of specialized cells, like nerve, muscle, and blood cells.

Front

Gene Activation Noun

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[jeen ak-tuh-vey-shuhn]

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Gene Activation

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The process of 'turning on' specific genes on the DNA, which determines the function and structure of a cell.

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Example: A growth factor signal causes transcription factors to bind to DNA, activating genes that create proteins for cell growth and division.

Front

Gene Expression Noun

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[jeen ik-spresh-uhn]

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Gene Expression

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The process where information from a gene is used to create a functional product, like a protein, leading to specialization.

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Example: This diagram shows how genetic information in a DNA strand is used to create a protein through the processes of transcription and translation.

Front

Tissue Noun

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[tish-oo]

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Tissue

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A group of similar specialized cells that are organized together to perform a specific function within an organism.

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Example: This diagram shows how specialized cells, like cardiac muscle cells, group together to form a tissue, which then makes up an organ like the heart.

Front

Organ Noun

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[or-guhn]

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Organ

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A structure composed of different types of tissues that work together to perform one or more complex bodily functions.

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Example: This diagram shows several examples of organs, which are structures in the body made of different tissues that work together to perform a specific job.