Stem cells

• What is a stem cell?

  An undifferentiated cell that can differentiate
• Where are stem cells found in animals?

  In embryos and adult organisms
• Where are stem cells found in plants?

  In meristem tissue at root tips and buds
• What process do stem cells undergo to become specialized cells?

  Differentiation
• What happens during fertilization in humans?

  A sperm cell joins with an ovum
• What is the role of embryonic stem cells?

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

  Adult stem cells cannot differentiate into all cell types
• How are stem cells used in bone marrow transplants?

  They replace destroyed bone marrow cells
• What is leukemia?

  A cancer of the bone marrow
• What are the two main problems with bone marrow transplants?

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

  Creating an embryo with the patient's genes
• Why can stem cells from therapeutic cloning be transplanted without rejection?

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

  Diabetes and paralysis
• What are some ethical concerns regarding therapeutic cloning?

  Objections based on ethics or religion
• What is meristem tissue in plants?

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

  To produce cloned crop plants quickly
• Why might farmers want to clone plants?

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

  • Bone marrow transplants for leukemia
  • Therapeutic cloning for various conditions
• What are the differences between embryonic and adult stem cells?

  • Embryonic stem cells: undifferentiated, can become any cell type
  • Adult stem cells: limited differentiation, specific to certain cell types
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of using stem cells for cloning?

  Strengths:

  • Rapid production of clones
  • Preservation of rare species

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Ethical concerns
  • Potential for genetic issues