#8.2.1.1
Totipotent cells can divide and produce any type of body cell.
#8.2.1.2
During development, totipotent cells translate only part of their DNA, resulting in cell specialisation.
#8.2.1.3
Totipotent cells occur only for a limited time in early mammalian embryos.
#8.2.1.4
Pluripotent cells are found in embryos; multipotent and unipotent cells are found in mature mammals and can divide to form a limited number of different cell types.
- Pluripotent stem cells can divide in unlimited numbers and can be used in treating human disorders.
- Unipotent cells, exemplified by the formation of cardiomyocytes.
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) can be produced from adult somatic cells using appropriate protein transcription factors.
#8.2.1.5
Students should be able to evaluate the use of stem cells in treating human disorders.