Stem cells

• What are stem cells able to do by mitosis?

  Form more cells
• Why are stem cells important?

  They can divide and differentiate into specialized cells
• What is the first key feature of stem cells?

  They can divide by mitosis
• What is the second key feature of stem cells?

  They can differentiate into specialized cells
• What happens when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell?

  It forms a zygote, the first cell of an organism
• What are the cells called that form after the zygote divides?

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

  Any type of cell
• How do adult stem cells differ from embryonic stem cells?

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

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

  Different types of blood cells
• What is the role of adult stem cells?

  To replace damaged cells
• Where are plant stem cells found?

  In meristem tissue
• What do plant stem cells differentiate into?

  All cells and tissues the plant needs
• What are some examples of cells that plant stem cells can differentiate into?

  Palisade cells, phloem, and xylem cells
• How long do plant stem cells persist?

  For the plant's entire life
• What happens to embryonic stem cells as we develop?

  They disappear by the time we are fully developed
• What are the main types of stem cells discussed?

  • Embryonic stem cells
  • Adult stem cells
  • Plant stem cells
• What are the key 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 disappear after development, while adult stem cells persist.
• How do stem cells contribute to growth and repair in organisms?

  • Stem cells divide by mitosis to produce more cells.
  • They differentiate into specialized cells needed for growth and repair.
  • Adult stem cells replace damaged cells in specific tissues.
• What is the significance of plant stem cells in growth?

  • Found in meristem tissue.
  • Differentiate into various cell types.
  • Persist throughout the plant's life for continuous growth.
• How can stem cells be used to treat diabetes?

  By replacing damaged pancreas cells
• What condition can stem cells potentially treat related to paralysis?

  By producing healthy nerve cells
• What are the two important features of stem cells?

  They can divide and differentiate
• What are the two main types of stem cells?

  Embryonic and adult stem cells
• What can adult stem cells differentiate into?

  Different types of blood cells
• What causes type 1 diabetes?

  Damage to pancreas cells producing insulin
• What is sickle cell anemia caused by?

  Misshapen red blood cells
• What is the basic idea behind using stem cells in medicine?

  To replace faulty cells with healthy ones
• What is a potential treatment for diabetic patients using stem cells?

  Injecting differentiated pancreas cells
• What is a drawback of using embryonic stem cells?

  Limited supply and ethical issues
• What is the risk of rejection in stem cell therapy?

  The patient's immune system may reject cells
• How can the risk of rejection be reduced?

  By using immunosuppressive medications
• What is a benefit of using adult stem cells?

  They can be taken from the patient themselves
• What is a limitation of adult stem cells?

  They can only differentiate into blood cells
• What are the two potential risks involved with using stem cells?

  Virus transmission and tumor development
• What does virus transmission in stem cell therapy refer to?

  Infected donor cells transferring viruses to patients
• What is tumor development in the context of stem cells?

  Stem cells dividing uncontrollably after transplantation
• What is the ethical objection to using embryonic stem cells?

  Potential for human life in embryos
• What do some people believe is more important than embryo rights?

  The benefits of curing suffering individuals
• Where do the embryos used in research typically come from?

  Unwanted embryos from fertility clinics