Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

20. Development

Developmental Biology

General Biology

20. Development

Developmental Biology

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1:33 minutes

Problem 11

Textbook Question

Type I diabetes is a form of diabetes that is due to the loss of insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The potential of stem cells—in particular, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells—for therapy has gotten a lot of press.
What are iPS cells?
a. Cells taken from early human embryos
b. Cells taken from the pancreas of people without diabetes
c. Cells derived by de-differentiating specialized adult cells
d. Cells derived by differentiating pancreas precursor cells

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. These are a type of stem cell that can be generated directly from adult cells.

Recognize that iPS cells are created by reprogramming specialized adult cells to revert them to a pluripotent state, meaning they can differentiate into various cell types.

Differentiate between the options given: a) cells taken from early human embryos, b) cells taken from the pancreas of people without diabetes, c) cells derived by de-differentiating specialized adult cells, and d) cells derived by differentiating pancreas precursor cells.

Identify that option c) 'cells derived by de-differentiating specialized adult cells' accurately describes iPS cells, as they are created by reversing the differentiation process of adult cells.

Conclude that iPS cells are not derived from embryos or pancreas precursor cells, but rather from adult cells that have been reprogrammed to a pluripotent state.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are a type of stem cell created by reprogramming specialized adult cells to revert to a pluripotent state, meaning they can differentiate into any cell type. This process involves introducing specific genes that reset the adult cells' developmental program, offering potential for regenerative medicine and disease modeling without the ethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells.

Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a stem cell to develop into any cell type in the body. This characteristic is crucial for stem cell therapies, as it allows for the generation of specific cell types needed for repairing damaged tissues or organs. Pluripotent cells, like iPS cells, can be used to study disease mechanisms and develop personalized treatments.

Cell Differentiation

Cell differentiation is the process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type, acquiring distinct functions and characteristics. In the context of iPS cells, differentiation is reversed to create pluripotent cells from adult cells, enabling the study and potential treatment of diseases like Type I diabetes by generating insulin-producing cells from iPS cells.

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Type I diabetes is a form of diabetes that is due to the loss of insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The potential of stem cells—in particular, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells—for therapy has gotten a lot of press.

If researchers were attempting to stimulate the differentiation of iPS cells, which of the following would they most likely add to the cell-culture medium (the liquid surrounding the cells)?

a. Activin A, an extracellular signal protein

b. Sox-2, a transcription factor active in early development

c. Grb-2, an intracellular signal transduction protein

d. Lactase, an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of lactose

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following provides evidence from developmental biology of a shared evolutionary history?

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Multiple Choice

Which type of cell is most likely to remain totipotent?