Check your answers against the ones below. For every question you get correct, you get one point. Add up your points at the end to see how you did.
Section 1: True or
False
For each of the
statements below decide whether it is true or false.
1) Adult stem
cells can proliferate longer than embryonic stem cells in culture.
False, embryonic stem cells can proliferate longer than
adult stem cells in culture.
2) Stem cells
are pluripotent, meaning there are many different kinds of them.
False, pluripotent means they can differentiate into
almost all cell types.
3) Plasticity
refers to an adult stem cell’s ability to stretch and twist itself while
differentiating.
False, plasticity is when adult stem cells differentiate
into cell types besides their usual ones.
4) Adult stem
cells are found in all organs of the developed human body.
False, they are found in many organs, but not all.
5) Adult stem
cells make up only 1 in 10 000 – 100 000 bone marrow cells.
True!
6) The
properties of stem cells are not generally dependent on their environment.
True!
7) Stem cells
are able to self-replicate for more time as they become more differentiated.
False, they are able to self-replicate for less time as
they become more differentiated.
8) Stem cell
research is a very new field.
True!
9) Both
Canada and Australia allow the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer to obtain
stem cells.
False, Australia does not allow the use of SCNT for any
purpose.
10) Stem cells
would not be needed to create heart cells for drug testing, since they are
already readily available.
False, heart cells are not available for drug testing, so
stem cells would be useful to produce them.
Section 2: Fill in
the Blank
For each of the
sentences below, fill in the blank with the correct word or phrase.
11) Hematopoetic and stromal stem cells are found in the bone marrow.
12) Something that happens in an artificial, laboratory environment is called in vitro.
13) The process of differentiation involves an unspecialized stem cell becoming a specialized cell.
14) Multipotent means the stem cell can become many different cell types.
15) A very early developing human is an embryo.
16) Bone marrow stromal cells generally differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat, and connective tissue cells.
17) Partially specialized stem cells with some characteristics of adult cells are called progenitors.
18) Stem cells are said to proliferate when they replicate without differentiating.
19) Plasticity refers to the ability of adult stem cells to differentiate into types of cells other than what they typically become.
20) The ethical problem with stem cell research is that it involves the destruction of embryos, which could be seen as murder.
Section 3:
Multiple Choice
For each of the
questions below, choose the most correct answer from the four listed. Do not
choose more than one answer per question.
21)
Hematopoetic stem cells generally differentiate into:
a) bone cells
b) nerve cells
c) skin cells
d) blood cells
22) Embryonic
stem cells are taken from the _______ of the blastocyst.
a) mesoderm
b) trophoderm
c) inner cell mass
d) early cell deposit
23)
Approximately how many specialized cell types are there in the human body?
a) 25
b) 50
c) 200
d) 500
24) Which of
the following was not a method of purifying groups of stem cells discussed in
the text?
a) Adding Oct 4 and looking for differentiation.
b) Staining with dyes.
c) Magnetically identifying them.
d) Using cell markers to check for stem cell activity.
25) What is the
main problem with using feeder cells to culture stem cells?
a) The feeder cells may transfer viruses.
b) The feeder cells need to be replaced regularly.
c) The feeder cells divide and take up space.
d) The feeder cells do not emit the proper nutrients.
26) Which of
the following is a potential application of stem cell technology?
a) drug testing
b) treating diseases
c) treating birth defects
d) all of the above
27) Which of
the following is not generally a condition required to use embryos for stem cell
research?
a) The embryo donors must have given written permission.
b) The embryo donors must have been financially rewarded for their
donation.
c) The embryo must have been created for reproductive purposes.
d) The researchers must have a licence for the stem cell research.
In fact, it is almost always a condition that NO money was
given for the donation.
