stem cells

• What is a stem cell?

  An undifferentiated cell that can give rise to more cells of the same type and can differentiate into other types of cells
• Where are stem cells found in animals?

  In embryos and adult organisms, such as bone marrow
• Where are stem cells found in plants?

  In the tips of roots and buds containing meristem tissue
• What is the process called when cells specialize into different types of cells?

  Differentiation
• What happens during fertilization in humans?


  A sperm cell joins with an ovum (egg cell)
• What is the significance of embryonic stem cells?


  They can differentiate into any type of body cell
• How do adult stem cells differ from embryonic stem cells?

  Adult stem cells cannot differentiate into any other type of cell
• How are stem cells used in bone marrow transplants?

  They divide and form new bone marrow and blood cells after a patient's bone marrow is destroyed
• What are the two main problems associated with bone marrow transplants?

  Donor compatibility and risk of virus transmission
• What is therapeutic cloning?

  Producing an embryo with the same genes as the patient for stem cell transplantation
• Why might stem cells from therapeutic cloning not be rejected by the patient's immune system?

  Because they have the same genes as the patient
• What medical conditions could therapeutic cloning potentially help treat?

  Conditions like diabetes or paralysis
• What ethical concerns are associated with therapeutic cloning?

  Some people have ethical or religious objections to the procedure
• What is meristem tissue in plants?

  Stem cells that can differentiate into any type of plant tissue
• How can meristem tissue be used in agriculture?

  To produce clones of plants quickly and cheaply
• Why might cloning a rare plant be beneficial?

  To prevent it from going extinct
• How can cloned crop plants benefit farmers?

  By producing plants that are resistant to diseases
• What are the key points about stem cells in animals and plants?

  • Stem cells are undifferentiated cells.
  • Found in embryos and adult organisms (e.g., bone marrow) in animals.
  • Found in meristem tissue in plants (tips of roots and buds).
  • Used in medical treatments (e.g., bone marrow transplants, therapeutic cloning).
  • Used in plant cloning to produce identical plants quickly.
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using stem cells in medicine?

  Advantages:

  • Potential to treat various medical conditions.
  • Can regenerate damaged tissues.

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Ethical concerns regarding sourcing.
  • Risk of rejection or complications in transplants.
• What are the main uses of stem cells in plants?

  • Cloning rare plants to prevent extinction.
  • Producing disease-resistant crop plants for farmers.