I. Introduction
A. Fertilization
1. Fusion of Sperm with Ovum
a. Zygote
B. Development
1. Multiplication of Cells
a. Mitosis
2. Differentiation of Cells
3. Early Development
a. Morula
b. Blastula
c. Gastrula
4. Germ Layers
a. Endoderm
i. Forms many internal organs (parts of:
digestive system, urinary system,
respiratory system, etc.)
b. Mesoderm
i. Forms parts of skeletal, muscular,
integumentary, urogenital, and
cardiovascular systems
c. Ectoderm
i. Forms parts of nervous system and
integumentary system
II. Stem Cells
A. Primitive, undifferentiated cells capable of
becoming other types of cells
B. Properties
1. Can reproduce many times without
differentiating; self-renewal
2. Can change into other types of cells;
potency
III. Potency
A. Totipotent Cells
1. Can differentiate into all embryonic cell
types
2. Derived from early zygote divisions (first
few cells)
B. Pluripotent Cells
1. Can differentiate into cells from any of the
three germ layers
2. Derived from later zygote divisions (later
cells)
C. Multipotent Cells
1. Can differentiate only into some related cell
types (such as various blood cells, etc.)
D. Unipotent Cells
1. Can differentiate into only one cell type, but
are self-renewing
IV. Embryonic Stem Cells
A. Derivation
1. Derived from morula or blastula cells
B. Potency
1. Pluripotent
2. Can develop into any of the 200 cell types
of the body
V. Adult [Somatic] Stem Cells
A. Derivation
1. Derived from germ layer and later tissue
cells
B. Potency
1. Multipotent
2. Can only develop into “specialized” cell
types
VI. Research
A. Embryonic Stem Cells
1. Controversial
2. Potential to treat many diseases (below)
3. How do you use pluripotent cells in the
body?
B. Adult Stem Cells
1. Less controversial
2. Potential to treat many diseases (below)
3. How do you turn multipotent cells into
pluripotent cells? How do you make them
do what you want them to do?
C. Potential Diseases Treated (Examples)
1. Nervous System
a. Spinal Cord Injuries; Parkinson’s Disease;
Multiple Sclerosis; etc.
2. Cardiovascular System
a. Leukemia; Heart Disease; Stroke; etc.
3. Other Systems
a. Cancers
b. Autoimmune Diseases (arthritis, lupus,
etc.)
c. Diabetes
d. Alzheimer's Disease
e. Many Others
D. Cloning
1. Reproducing a new organism or organs
from one or two cells
2. Replacement body parts
a. Another Organism
b. The Same Organism
3. Ethical Considerations
VII. Summary
Page obtained from link at URL: http://www.ric.edu/faculty/jmontvilo/109.htm
Prepared by Jerome A. Montvilo, Ph.D. for the use of his students.
Copyright © by Jerome A. Montvilo. All rights reserved.
Please send questions, comments, or suggestions to jmontvilo@ric.edu.
Last updated 29 April, 2008 |
