stem cells

• What is a stem cell?

  An undifferentiated cell that can differentiate
• How do humans start their development?

  When a sperm cell joins with an ovum
• What is the process called when a fertilized ovum forms a ball of cells?

  Mitosis
• What do we call the process where cells become specialized?

  Differentiation
• What are embryonic stem cells capable of?

  Differentiating into any type of body cell
• Where can adult stem cells be found?

  In bone marrow
• How do adult stem cells differ from embryonic stem cells?

  They cannot differentiate into any other type of cell
• What is a medical use of stem cells in treating leukemia?

  Bone marrow transplant
• What happens to a patient's bone marrow before a transplant?

  It is destroyed using radiation
• What is a risk associated with bone marrow transplants?

  Donor compatibility issues
• What is therapeutic cloning?

  Producing an embryo with the same genes as the patient
• Why can stem cells from a cloned embryo be transplanted without rejection?

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

  Diabetes or paralysis
• What ethical concerns are associated with therapeutic cloning?

  Objections based on ethics or religion
• Where are stem cells found in plants?

  In the tips of roots and buds
• What is the function of meristem tissue in plants?

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

  To produce clones of plants quickly
• Why might farmers clone plants?

  To produce disease-resistant crops
• What are the main uses of stem cells in medicine and agriculture?

  • Medical treatments (e.g., bone marrow transplants)
  • Therapeutic cloning for cell replacement
  • Plant cloning using meristem tissue