The Science and Ethics of

Stem Cell Research

Stem Cell
Development
Lesson 1
An Overview of Early Development
modeled with Play-Dough
Fertilized egg
Totipotent: Can become any cell in
body or placenta

Totipotent Pluripotent: Can become any cell in

stem cells body
Fate Decision Multipotent: Can become any cell
within a specific germ layer or cell
Pluripotent
Blastocyst
lineage
stem cells
(3-5 days old) Embryonic stem cells come from inner cell mass of blastocyst .

Gastrulation (day 14) leads to

Primary Germ Cells
Fate Decision Endoderm (inner)digestive tract, resp. track
Mesoderm (middle)bones, blood cells, heart
Ectoderm (outer)skin, CNS
Implantation Multipotent
What your zygote might look like:
The Zygote
What your morula might look like:
Early Cell Division

Source: Florida Institute for Reproductive Science and Technologies

Four-cell stage
2 days after fertilization

Source: Florida Institute for Reproductive Science and Technologies

Eight-cell stage
3 days after fertilization

Courtesy: RWJMS IVF Program

Source: Florida Institute for Reproductive Science and Technologies

Morula
4 days after fertilization 16 cells

Source: Florida Institute for Reproductive Science and Technologies

What your blastula (blastocyst)
might look like:
 Blastula
5 days after fertilization

Source: Florida Institute for Reproductive Science and Technologies

Courtesy: RWJMS IVF Program

Five Day Embryo

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/
Blastula (Blastocyst)

This image has been released into the public domain.

What your gastrula might look like:
Sea Urchin Development
One Cell to Blastula Stage

 http://www.luc.edu/depts/biology/dev/urchindv.htm
 (courtesy of Dr. J. Hardin, Univ. of Wisconsin)
 http://www.exploratorium.edu/imaging_station/gallery.php?Asset=celldiv&Category=seaurchins&Type=video
Early Mouse
Development

One Cell to
Morula Stage
Early Human Development
 Multipotent

This graphic has been released into the public domain