When compared to differentiated cells, adult stem cells have:

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When compared to differentiated cells, adult stem cells have:

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Question: When compared to differentiated cells, adult stem cells have:

Option A: Higher telomerase activity, active DNA repair mechanisms, and some bivalent histone marks
This choice aligns with what is known about adult stem cells. They are more primitive than fully differentiated cells, so they tend to maintain telomere length better through higher (though not maximal) telomerase activity, which supports their longevity and regenerative capacity. They also preserve robust DNA repair pathways to maintain genome integrity during self-renewal and differentiation. Additionally, they can retain some epigenetic features associated with stemness, including the presence of bivalent histone marks that keep developmental genes in a poised state for future activation. Overall, this option captures three key contrasts with differentiated cells: enhanced telomere maintenance, active repair systems, and poised chromatin states.

Option B: Lower telomerase activity, inactive DNA repair mechanisms, and no bivalent histone marks
This is inconsistent with the biology of adult stem cells. Differentiated cells generally have reduced telomerase activity, not stem cells. Also, stem cells rely on competent DNA repair to prevent accumulating mutations during frequent divisions; labeling repair mechanisms as inactive misrepresents their function. The claim of no bivalent histone marks also contradicts the maintained plasticity and epigenetic poising observed in stem-like cells. Therefore, this option is inaccurate for adult stem cells.

Option C: Higher telomerase activity, inactive DNA repair mechanisms, and no bivalent histone marks
Although the first part (higher telomerase activity) is plausible, the assertion of inactive DNA repair mechanisms is incorrect for adult stem cells, which require active repair to preserve genome integrity across divisions. Additionally, stating no bivalent histone marks ignores the epigenetic landscape that supports stemness and readiness to differentiate. The combination makes this option unreliable.

Option D: Lower telomerase activity, high DNA repair mechanisms, and some bivalent histone marks
This option incorrectly lowers telomerase activity for adult stem cells; they typically maintain telomere length better than differentiated cells, though not at embryonic stem cell levels. The phrase “high DNA repair mechanisms” could be interpreted as accurate, but the overall claim contradicts the expected telomerase profile. The presence of some bivalent marks is plausible, but the mismatched telomerase statement makes this option less accurate than Option A.

In summary, Option A best matches the established understanding of adult stem cell biology, reflecting relatively higher telomerase activity than differentiated cells, active DNA repair, and the retention of a poised, partially bivalent chromatin state for developmental gene regulation. The other options contain at least one incorrect aspect about telomerase activity, DNA repair status, or epigenetic marks, making them inaccurate representations of adult stem cell characteristics.

When compared to differentiated cells, adult stem cells have:

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