Soma - Greek for "body".

Senescence - changes in molecular and cellular structure resulting in the prevention of further cell division.

Symmetric division - an adult stem cell gives rise to two identical daughter cells.

Asymmetric division - an adult stem cell gives rise to one identical daughter cell and one progenitor cell that will terminally differentiate into a mature lineage.

"Stem cell niche" - the microenvironment wherein a stem cell resides which provides the necessary growth and differentiation signaling events which are conducive to both cellular division and differentiation.

Chapter 4 Key Terms

Select key terms are defined below.  For a complete list of glossary terms please refer to the book.