Q2611. Stem cells possess two fundamental properties: self-renewal and the ability to differentiate into specialized cell types. Cells that can develop into a complete organism are termed:
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Q2612. Consider the following statements regarding stem cells:
Statement I: Adult stem cells are generally multipotent, meaning they can only differentiate into a limited number of cell types related to their tissue of origin.
Statement II: Embryonic stem cells, derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, are pluripotent and can form any cell type in the adult body.
Which of the following represents the correct option?
Statement I: Adult stem cells are generally multipotent, meaning they can only differentiate into a limited number of cell types related to their tissue of origin.
Statement II: Embryonic stem cells, derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, are pluripotent and can form any cell type in the adult body.
Which of the following represents the correct option?
Explanation
Adult stem cells are multipotent, meaning they are typically restricted to becoming cell types within their specific tissue of origin, such as blood stem cells only making blood cells. In contrast, embryonic stem cells are pluripotent; they are derived from the blastocyst and have the broader capability to differentiate into any of the more than 200 specialized cell types in the body.
Q2613. Consider the following statements about Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs):
I. They are adult somatic cells genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state.
II. Their creation bypasses the ethical concerns associated with destroying human embryos.
III. They can only differentiate into blood cells.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. They are adult somatic cells genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state.
II. Their creation bypasses the ethical concerns associated with destroying human embryos.
III. They can only differentiate into blood cells.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells are created by genetically reprogramming specialized adult cells, like skin cells, back into an embryonic-like state. This breakthrough allows for the creation of pluripotent cells without using or destroying embryos, thus avoiding major ethical controversies. However, iPSCs are pluripotent and can potentially differentiate into almost any cell type in the body, which makes certain specialized restrictions incorrect.
Q2614. The generation of tissues or organs from stem cells to replace damaged ones is the primary goal of:
Explanation
Regenerative medicine is a specialized field of medicine focused on repairing, replacing, or regenerating human cells, tissues, or organs to restore normal function. This often involves using stem cells to create new, healthy tissue that can be transplanted into patients to replace parts damaged by disease, injury, or aging. Examples include growing skin for burn victims or potentially regenerating heart muscle.
Q2615. Which of the following represents an ethical concern exclusively associated with human embryonic stem cell research?
Explanation
The most prominent and unique ethical challenge associated with human embryonic stem cell research is that the process of isolating these cells currently necessitates the destruction of a five-day-old human embryo. This raises profound moral and religious questions for many people regarding the status of the embryo and the ethics of destroying potential human life, a concern not shared with adult stem cells.
Q2616. Identify the correct pair regarding stem cell types:
Explanation
The inner cell mass of a blastocyst contains pluripotent stem cells, which can become any cell type in the body. A zygote is actually totipotent, not multipotent. Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent, as they can form bone, cartilage, and fat, but not a whole organism. Skin stem cells are also multipotent, restricted to regenerating skin-related tissues in various biological organisms.
Q2617. Which scientist was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2012 for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent (iPSCs)?
Explanation
Shinya Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012 for his groundbreaking discovery that mature, specialized cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent stem cells. By introducing four specific genes into adult skin cells, he showed it was possible to turn back the developmental clock, creating cells nearly identical to embryonic stem cells. This technology has revolutionized medicine.
Q2618. Which of the following is not a current or potential therapeutic application of stem cells?
Explanation
While stem cells can regenerate tissues and replace lost cells, such as dopamine neurons in Parkinsons or heart muscle after a heart attack, they cannot correct inherent chromosomal abnormalities in the existing cells of an adult patient. Chromosomal defects are part of the fundamental genetic makeup of all cells in the individual. Stem cell therapy focus is on replacing functional units rather than genome rewriting.
Q2619. Cord blood banked after childbirth is a rich source of:
Explanation
Cord blood, which is the blood remaining in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born, is a rich and valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells. Like the stem cells found in bone marrow, these cells have the ability to differentiate into all types of blood cells. Many parents choose to bank their childs cord blood for future therapeutic medical use.
Q2620. The first commercially produced genetically engineered human hormone was:
Explanation
Humulin, human insulin made by recombinant DNA technology, was the first commercially produced genetically engineered human hormone, introduced in the early 1980s.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 2611 | (b) Totipotent |
| 2612 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 2613 | (a) I and II only |
| 2614 | (b) Regenerative medicine |
| 2615 | (a) It requires the destruction of early-stage human embryos. |
| 2616 | (c) Inner cell mass of blastocyst - Pluripotent |
| 2617 | (b) Shinya Yamanaka |
| 2618 | (d) Correction of chromosomal abnormalities in adult patients |
| 2619 | (a) Hematopoietic stem cells |
| 2620 | (c) Insulin (Humulin) |
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This page has 9654 practice MCQs on the RAS Prelims syllabus. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
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Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation. Practise one chapter at a time, note the facts you got wrong and revise them. Repeat the chapter after a few days.
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