When a cell differentiates it becomes a stem cell?

Have you ever tried to impress your biology teacher by asking the question, “When a cell differentiates does it become a stem cell?” Well, I’m here to tell you that the answer is much more complicated than a simple yes or no. So buckle up ladies and gentlemen, because we’re about to go on an epic journey packed full of bio-infused craziness!

Basics of Stem Cells

Before delving into the topic at hand let’s start with the basics. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that possess two unique characteristics: self-renewal and differentiation. Self-renewal means cells can divide continuously while maintaining their undifferentiated state for long periods of time whereas differentiation means they have potential to develop into specific types of specialized cells.

Now if you’ve been paying attention in class,embryonic stem cells (ESCs) come from fertilized eggs (blastocysts). This type has no pre-determined fate and therefore can differentiate into any kind of differentiated cells in accordance with genetic instructions- this process being called pluripotency. It’s like having zillions of options asides pizza!

On the other hand, adult stem cells, which are also known as somatic or tissue-specific stems are multipotent – meaning they can only differentiate partially thereby limiting them largely to producing related types within the same tissue family. We’re talking red blood cell making bone marrow loving adult stems!

Differentiation Explained

A differentiated fetal/adult organism starts out as just one fertilized egg and later grows into hundreds upon millions or even trillions of highly specialized embryonic-Adult life forms through processes such as apoptosis-(Cell death)…. Each one exhibiting their own distinctive morphology despite each containing nearly identical DNA information.

But how exactly do these tiny cells “decide” whether to become a skin cell, bone cell or blood cell? This process all comes down to gene expression.

Every single one of your body’s cells contains the same DNA code but this doesn’t mean they express every single gene within that code %. Only when certain genes are turned on is there specific protein and characteristic it supports such as insulin production from beta-islet pancreatic /cells/.

This then begs the question,

Does Differentiation Involve Stem Cells??

Nope! Although stem cells do play a vital role in development, differentiation can occur in other fully differentiated adult tissues due to “less potent”. For instance; Cellular regeneration which occurs during tissue injury healing requires unremarkable(usually with limited regenerating endogenous ability)non-stem precursor MSCs(Mesenchymal stromal Cells). Now I betcha didn’t know you had Mesenchymal Stromal precursors!

On another note regarding adults, Dendritic(do-not-multiply) immune system based/Specialized nerve-derived Glial and Muscle fibers CANNOT and do not involve multipotent stem biology procedures.

As a matter of fact even using mature adipose fibroblasts(Fat layer tissue excisions) were recently proven through synthetic induced pluripotent technique(iPSC) using selective Yamanaka Factors Oct4 Sox2 Nanog Klf4 {makes sense right}.

Can Stem Cells Turn into Anything?

One thing is for sure stemI’m talking embryonic here-cells have unlimited potential (pluripotentiality), both esdiffering from their multi/determined somatic counterparts -lack of combination perpetuated transcription factor- limiting potential to related classifications alone ehich make them useful mostly for foetal/neonatal research while somatic help generate immediate applications.

Although studies say iPSC can differentiate + generate most differentiated cell types; such studies ignore essential epigenetic changes undervaluing inter- and intra-line variability inclusive. The fact that certain iPSC lines can generate only specific tissues when tested, says otherwise.

So to put it simply: If you want pizza, you better use adult stem cells into adipose fibroblasts or opt for yet another choice entirely!

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, differentiation is a process we should all be thankful for. Without it our bodies would just be one big blob with no organization whatsoever! Stem cells definitely have their role in this complex system but they’re not the answer to everything. And remember folks–just because someone uses big scientific words doesn’t mean they know what they’re talking about…but I do!

Random Posts