Stem cells are special cells that can change into different types of cells. This change happens through a careful process that is affected by both inside (intrinsic) and outside (extrinsic) factors.
Types of Stem Cells:
Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs): These are very flexible and can turn into any type of cell in the human body, which has about 220 different types.
Adult Stem Cells (ASCs): These cells are a bit more limited. They can usually only become the types of cells that are related to the tissue they come from. For example, blood stem cells can turn into various blood cells.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): These are regular cells that have been changed so they can act like embryonic stem cells. They can also turn into any cell type.
Process of Changing (Differentiation):
Intrinsic Factors: These are changes in the genes that are guided by special proteins called transcription factors.
Extrinsic Factors: These are signals from the cell's environment, such as growth factors and other materials outside the cell.
Fun Fact: More than 80% of the genes that help cells change types are controlled in ways that are specific to each cell type. This shows just how complicated the process of changing into different cells is!
Stem cells are special cells that can change into different types of cells. This change happens through a careful process that is affected by both inside (intrinsic) and outside (extrinsic) factors.
Types of Stem Cells:
Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs): These are very flexible and can turn into any type of cell in the human body, which has about 220 different types.
Adult Stem Cells (ASCs): These cells are a bit more limited. They can usually only become the types of cells that are related to the tissue they come from. For example, blood stem cells can turn into various blood cells.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): These are regular cells that have been changed so they can act like embryonic stem cells. They can also turn into any cell type.
Process of Changing (Differentiation):
Intrinsic Factors: These are changes in the genes that are guided by special proteins called transcription factors.
Extrinsic Factors: These are signals from the cell's environment, such as growth factors and other materials outside the cell.
Fun Fact: More than 80% of the genes that help cells change types are controlled in ways that are specific to each cell type. This shows just how complicated the process of changing into different cells is!