Stem Cells

• What is a stem cell?

  A stem cell is 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?

  Stem cells are found in embryos and in adult organisms, such as in bone marrow.
• What is the process called when cells specialize?

  The process is called differentiation.
• How do embryonic stem cells differ from adult stem cells?

  • Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any type of body cell.
  • Adult stem cells have limited differentiation capabilities, such as forming blood cells from bone marrow.
• What is the role of stem cells in bone marrow transplants?

  They divide and differentiate to form new bone marrow and blood cells.
• What are the two main problems associated with bone marrow transplants?

  Donor compatibility and risk of virus transmission.
• How does therapeutic cloning work?

  It produces an embryo with the same genes as the patient for stem cell transplantation.
• What medical conditions could therapeutic cloning potentially help treat?

  Conditions such as diabetes or paralysis.
• What are the ethical concerns surrounding therapeutic cloning?

  • Ethical objections from some individuals.
  • Religious objections to the use of embryos.
• Where are stem cells found in plants?

  Stem cells are found in meristem tissue, such as at the tips of roots and buds.
• How can meristem tissue be used in agriculture?

  • To produce clones of plants quickly and cheaply.
  • To clone rare plants to prevent extinction.
  • To produce cloned crop plants resistant to diseases.