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Stem Cells definitions

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  • Stem Cell
    An undifferentiated cell with the ability to self-renew and generate specialized cell types required for tissue growth and repair.
  • Differentiated Cell
    A cell with a specific structure and function, such as a skin or retinal cell, formed from the process of specialization.
  • Self-Renewal
    A process where a cell divides to produce one identical cell and one specialized cell, maintaining the stem cell pool.
  • Niche
    A specialized microenvironment within tissues where undifferentiated cells reside and maintain their unique properties.
  • Embryonic Stem Cell
    A pluripotent cell derived from an embryo, capable of forming any cell type within the developing organism.
  • Pluripotency
    The capacity of a cell to differentiate into nearly all cell types of the body, excluding extraembryonic tissues.
  • Totipotency
    The ability of a cell to generate all cell types, including both embryonic and placental tissues.
  • Zygote
    The initial cell formed by the fusion of egg and sperm, possessing the potential to develop into an entire organism.
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell
    A cell reprogrammed from an adult state to a pluripotent state using specific proteins, enabling tissue regeneration.
  • Progenitor Cell
    A partially specialized cell with limited potential, giving rise to a few related cell types within a tissue.
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell
    A progenitor cell located in bone marrow, responsible for generating all types of blood cells.
  • Neuronal Stem Cell
    A progenitor cell dedicated to producing neurons, supporting nervous system development and repair.
  • Mitosis
    A cell division process resulting in two daughter cells, crucial for self-renewal and tissue maintenance.
  • Somatic Cell
    A non-reproductive cell of the body, such as a skin cell, which can be reprogrammed into a pluripotent state.