Potency, Plasticity, Differentiation, and Transdifferentiation. a.Stem cells are

Question

Potency, Plasticity, Differentiation, and Transdifferentiation.

a.Stem cells are described as having different levels of potency. Describe the levels of potency and explain how the terms can be used for cells at different levels of the developmental process.

b.Describe plasticity. How does plasticity relate to potency? How does this relationship impact our understanding of stem cells?

c. Describe the concept of transdifferentiation. How does that relate to the concepts of differentiation and plasticity?

Explanation / Answer

A. Totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent, oligopotent, unipotent

Totipotent cells can form all kind of cells

Pluripotent cells can be differentiated into any kind of cells of germ layers means ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm

Multipotent cells can be differentiated into discrete types of cells. For eg, hematopoietic stem cells get differenciated into lymphocytes, monocytes etc.

Oligopotent cells can be differentiated into a few cell types. Eg, lymphoid cells can produce B cell and The cells

Unipotent cells can be differentiated into a particular cell type. Eg, hepatoblasts can form hepatocytes

B. Plasticity of cells is the ability of cells to be switched to another cells.

Potency is the potentiality of a cell to be differentiated. It depends upon the environment.

Plasticity is the transition state among several cell fates.

C. When an adult stem cell from a germ layer can be differentiated into a cell of different germ layer, the process is called Transdifferentiation. Eg, a brain cell under proper influence and environment, can be differentiated into liver. Brain is made from ectoderm and liver is from endoderm

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