BRAINCAKEStem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can:
• divide by mitosis again and again to produce more stem cells (self-renewal)
• differentiate into specialised cell types.
Most specialised cells cannot divide, so stem cells are needed to form an organism during development and, later, to replace cells that are worn out or damaged.
Potency
Stem cells differ in how many types of cell they can become. This is called their potency.
• Totipotent stem cells can differentiate into any type of cell, including the cells of the placenta and other extra-embryonic tissues. They are found only in the very early embryo, up to about the 8-cell stage.
• Pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into any type of cell in the body, but not placenta cells. They are found in the inner cell mass of the blastocyst.
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More in Gene Expression
- non-Coding RNA
- siRNA
- Cell Differentiation
- Early Stages of Development
- Embryonic Stem Cells
- Umbilical Cord Stem Cells
- Adult Stem Cells
- Determination of Cell Type
All 39 lessons in Gene Expression · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics