Chapter summary
Stem cells and differentiation, at a glance
Scan the key ideas, or hide the answers and try to recall them.
01
Self-renewal and developmental potential
What can a stem cell do that a specialised cell usually cannot?
Key idea and reminders
Stem cells self-renew and produce differentiated descendants; potency describes the range of cell types they can form.
- Self-renewal maintains stem cells.
- Totipotent includes extraembryonic potential.
- Multipotent has a restricted lineage range.
Keep in mind: That requires the broader extraembryonic potential included in totipotency.
02
Build and maintain tissues
How can one blood stem-cell system replace several short-lived cell types?
Key idea and reminders
Stem-cell renewal preserves a source of cells while regulated differentiation supplies the right descendants for development and repair.
- Embryonic stem cells build differentiated body tissues.
- Lymphoid and myeloid branches produce different blood lineages.
- Renewal must be balanced with differentiation.
Keep in mind: Mature mammalian red blood cells lack nuclei. Blood stem cells and precursors produce replacement red cells.