Stem cells

• What can stem cells differentiate into?


  Different types of cells
• Why do cells differentiate?


  To become specialised for their job
• What are undifferentiated cells called?

  Stem cells
• What is a key ability of stem cells?


  They can produce more undifferentiated cells and differentiate into different types of cells
• What are stem cells found in early human embryos called?


  Embryonic stem cells
• What is unique about embryonic stem cells?


  They can turn into any kind of cell at all
• Where are adult stem cells found in the body?


  In certain places like bone marrow
• What types of specialised cells can adult stem cells produce?


  Certain types, e.g., blood cells
• Can stem cells from embryos and bone marrow be cloned?


  Yes, they can be cloned in a lab
• What can cloned stem cells be used for?


  In medicine or research
• What are the main differences between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells?


  • Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any type of cell.
  • Adult stem cells are limited to certain types of specialised cells.
  • Embryonic stem cells are found in early human embryos.
  • Adult stem cells are found in specific locations like bone marrow.
• Stem cells may be able to cure many diseases

  1. Embryonic stem cells could be used to replace faulty cells in sick people
  2. It's possible to make an embryo that has the same genes as a patient. This is called therapeutic cloning
  3. This means that the stem cells from the embryo wouldn't be rejected by the patient's body
  4. However, there are risks involved in using stem cells in medicine. For example, the stem cells could be infected with a virus. The virus could be passed on to a patient and make them sicker
• Some people are against stem cell research

  • Some people feel embryos shouldn't be used for research because each one could be a human life
  • Others think that curing patients who are suffering is more important than the rights of embryos
  • They argue that the embryos used in the research are usually unwanted ones from fertility clinics. If they weren't used for research, would probably just be destroyed
  • Some people feel that scientists should be finding other sources of stem cells
• Stem cells can produce identical plants

  • Plants have tissues called meristems. Meristems are where growth occurs - in the tips of roots and shoots
  • The meristems contain stem cells that can differentiate into any type of plant cell. They can do this all through the plants entire life
  • These stem cells can be used to make clones (identical copies) of plants quickly and cheaply. Clones can be made of:

  - rare species (to prevent them being wiped out)

  - crop plants that have features that are useful for farmers, e.g. plants aren't killed by a disease