Stem cells

• what are stem cells? 


  A stem cell is an undifferentiated cell of an organism which is capable of giving rise to many more cells of the same type, and from which certain other cells can arise from differentiation.
• What are stem cells?

  Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can divide and differentiate into specialized cells.
• Why are stem cells important?


  They can divide to form more cells and differentiate into specialized cells.
• What are the two key features of stem cells?

  • Ability to divide by mitosis to form more cells
  • Ability to differentiate into specialized cells
• What happens when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell?


  It forms a single cell called a zygote, which is the beginning of a new organism.
• What are the cells called that form after the zygote divides?


  Embryonic stem cells.
• What can embryonic stem cells differentiate into?


  They can differentiate into any type of cell, such as nerve, skin, or blood cells.
• How do adult stem cells differ from embryonic stem cells?


  Adult stem cells can only differentiate into a narrow range of cells, unlike embryonic stem cells.
• Where are adult stem cells found in the body?


  In the bone marrow.
• What types of cells can adult stem cells differentiate into?


  They can differentiate into different types of blood cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.
• What is the role of adult stem cells?


  They can replace damaged cells to maintain health but do not form new tissues.
• Where are plant stem cells found?


  In meristem tissue.
• What is the significance of plant stem cells?


  They differentiate into all the cells and tissues that the plant needs as it grows.
• What types of cells can plant stem cells differentiate into?


  They can differentiate into palisade cells, phloem, xylem, and root hair cells.
• How long do plant stem cells persist?


  They persist for the entire life of the plant.
• What are the differences between embryonic and adult stem cells?


  • Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any cell type.
  • Adult stem cells can only differentiate into a limited range of cells.
  • Embryonic stem cells are present in early development, while adult stem cells are found in specific tissues.
• What is the process of human development starting from fertilization?


  1. Sperm fertilizes egg to form a zygote.
  2. Zygote divides by mitosis to form an embryo.
  3. Embryonic stem cells differentiate into various cell types.
  4. After nine months, a baby is formed.
• Stem cells from human embryos can be cloned and made to differentiate into most different types of human cells
• Stem cells from human embryos can be cloned and made to differentiate into most different types of human cells.
• Stem cells from adult bone marrow can form many types of cells including blood cells.
• Meristem tissue in plants can differentiate into any type of plant cell, throughout the life of the plant.
• Stem cells from meristems in plants can be used to produce clones of plants quickly and economically.

  • Rare species can be cloned to protect from extinction.

  • Crop plants with special features such as disease resistance can be cloned to produce large numbers of identical plants for farmers
• The use of stem cells has potential risks such as transfer of viral infection, and some people have ethical or religious objections.