Stem Cells

• What is a stem cell?


  An undifferentiated cell that can undergo division to produce many more similar cells, some of which will differentiate to have different functions
• What are embryonic stem cells?


  Embryonic cells are cells that form when an egg and sperm fuse to form a zygote. They can differentiate into any type of cell in the body and can be cloned and directed to differentiate into various cell types
• How can embryonic stem cells be used in medicine?

  They can potentially replace damaged cells in diseases like diabetes or Alzheimer’s
• Where do embryonic stem cells come from?


  Early embryos
• Where are adult stem cells found and what can they do?

  Found in bone marrow, can differentiate into different cell types.
• What are meristems in plants?


  Growth areas in plants that can turn into any type of plant cell
• How can meristems be useful?


  Can be used to clone plants, preserving their best traits
• What is therapeutic cloning?


  Therapeutic cloning is the process of creating an embryo with the same genes as the patient, which can be grown into any cells needed by the patient, such as new tissues or organs
• What’s the advantage of therapeutic cloning?


  Cells would not be rejected by the body since they match the persons DNA
• Benefits of research with stem cells:


  -Can be used to replace damaged or diseased body parts

  -Unwanted embryos from fertility clinics could be used as they would otherwise be discarded

  -Research into the process of differentiation
• Problems of research with stem cells:

  -Do not completely understand process of differentiation; so it’s hard to control stem cells to form the cells we desire

  -removal of stem cells results in destruction of embryo

  -people may have religious or ethical objections as it’s seen as interference with natural process of reproduction

  -if growing stem cells are contaminated with a virus, an infection can be transferred to the individual

  -money and time could be better spent into other areas of medicine
• What is a stem cell?

  A stem cell is an undifferentiated cell that can divide to produce more similar cells.
• What is the primary function of stem cells?

  Stem cells can differentiate to have different functions.
• What are the types of stem cells?

  1. Embryonic stem cells
  2. Adult stem cells
  3. Meristems in plants
• How are embryonic stem cells formed?

  They form when an egg and sperm cell fuse to form a zygote.
• What can embryonic stem cells differentiate into?

  They can differentiate into any type of cell in the body.
• How can scientists use embryonic stem cells for medical purposes?

  They can clone these cells and direct them to differentiate into almost any cell in the body.
• What potential medical applications do embryonic stem cells have?

  They could replace insulin-producing cells, new neural cells, or nerve cells for various conditions.
• Where are adult stem cells primarily found?

  Adult stem cells are found in bone marrow.
• What types of cells can adult stem cells form?

  They can form many types of cells, including blood cells.
• Where are meristems found in plants?

  Meristems are found in root and shoot tips.
• What is the significance of meristems in plants?

  They can differentiate into any type of plant and have this ability throughout the plant's life.
• How can meristems be used in plant cloning?

  They can be used to make clones of the plant with desirable features.
• What is therapeutic cloning?

  It involves producing an embryo with the same genes as the patient.
• What is the advantage of using stem cells from therapeutic cloning?

  They would not be rejected as they have the same genetic make-up as the individual.
• What are the benefits of stem cell research?

  • Can replace damaged or diseased body parts
  • Unwanted embryos from fertility clinics could be used
• What are the problems associated with stem cell research?

  • Difficult to control differentiation
  • Removal of stem cells destroys the embryo
  • Ethical objections
  • Potential for viral contamination
  • Resource allocation concerns
• What can embryonic stem cells replace?


  Insulin producing cells- so used for diabetes

  Neural cells- used for alzheimers

  Nerve cells- people with spinal cord injuries