Topic 7 - Learning Outcomes

Topic 7.1 Cell death Describe the key features and characteristics of cell death by apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis. Describe the roles of mitochondria in cell death pathways. Explain how caspase enzymes are activated, and how they act to cause the demise of apoptotic cells. Discuss some of the similarities between apoptosis pathways in different organisms, and comment on evidence that programmed cell death is an ancient feature of both multicellular and unicellular organisms. Explain what is meant by intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways. Describe the pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic roles of the Bcl-2 family of proteins and explain how changes in the expression or activity of these proteins can lead to cell death.

Topic 7.2 : Stem cells and differentiation Define the properties of a stem cell. Name some of the locations in the body where stem cells are present. Describe the role of the stem cell niche in maintaining the stem cell population. Name the transcription factors that comprise ‘Yamanaka factors’ and describe the essential functions of this group of proteins in stem cell self-renewal. Describe the processes of stem cell specification, commitment and differentiation. Describe the various mechanisms by which stem cells protect themselves against DNA and protein damage.