What are the main chracteristic differences between stem cells and normal human cells?
i know that a stem cell is a non differentiated cell, and can grow into almost any kind of cell. and that there are 3 main types and where they can come from. i need to put this question's answer/s into a context that i could maybe put it into a table comparing stem cells and normal cells. Anything else in relation to your viewpoint on the issue is also appreciated. ~this is for study into a science assignment, any help is appreciated.~ could you maybe tell me also what things stem cells do that normal cells dont and vice versa. What are the organelles in a stem cell, how do they function ... do they have organelles? thanks
Public Comments
- One of characterics, epigenetic regulation is thought to involve cell differentiation. DNA (cytosine residues) methylation and Histone acetylation and metylation influence regulation of gene expression. See this article. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics
- I'm guessing that the "three kinds of stem cell" are probably classifications about *how many* different cell types the stem cell is potentially capable of differentiating into. By this criteria there are these three types: [1] Totipotent Cells A totipotent stem cells is one that is indeed capable of becoming *any* cell type found in the body. Embryonic Stem Cells are example of these. [2] Pluripotent Cells Pluripotent cells can differentiate into any cell type of one of the three "germ layers" of the body - the ectoderm (epidermal tissues, nervous tissue), the mesoderm (muscle, bone, blood, connective tissue), and the endoderm (intestines, lungs). These cells are one stage differentiated from totipotent cells [3] Multipotent Cells Multipotent cells are cells that can still differentiate into multiple cell types, but not as many as plutipotent stem cells (for example, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can become bone, cartilage, and fat cells). Most exam,ples of Adult Stem Cells are of this type.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers