1.         Factual knowledge

I have learned the difference between cell determination and cell specification. Cell determination is when a cell is able to differentiate autonomously no matter what environment it is placed in (another embryonic region or a neutral environment without external signals). Cell specification is when a cell is able to differentiate autonomously in a neutral environment without signals, but not when transplanted into another embryonic region.

 2.         Making connections (conceptual knowledge!)

I know that stem cells are able to differentiate and become more specialized in particular functions. I also know that this process is highly regulated and involves turning different genes on and off. This new knowledge provides information on how cell differentiation is a process of several stages. For example that cells during specification is less committed to the final fate (since they can react to environmental signals and change their fate). Determined cells are therefore more committed to the final fate of differentiation. This could be explained by that genes are reversibly turned off during specification and irreversibly turned off during determination. This could also suggest an explanation to why the cell potency decreases with cell differentiation.

3.         Other comments

I have also learned that what we can conclude from experimental data is quite different from what the interpretation of the data could suggest. These suggestions would have to be followed up by further experiments if we would want to conclude anything finally.