Stem cells

• From where do all cells in an organism originate?

  Stem cells
• What are stem cells?

  Undifferentiated cells that can specialize
• What can stem cells develop into?

  Different types of cells based on instructions
• Where are stem cells found in early human embryos?

  In the early embryo
• Why are stem cells exciting to doctors and researchers?

  They can turn into any kind of cell
• Where are adult stem cells found?

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

  Adult stem cells can only become certain cell types
• What can stem cells from embryos and bone marrow be used for?

  To produce clones and differentiate into specialized cells
• How are adult stem cells currently used in medicine?

  To cure diseases
• What potential future use do embryonic stem cells have in medicine?

  To replace faulty cells in sick people
• What is therapeutic cloning?

  Creating an embryo with the patient's genetic information
• What is a risk associated with using stem cells in medicine?

  Contamination with a virus
• Where are stem cells found in plants?

  In the meristems
• What can stem cells in meristem tissues do?

  Differentiate into any type of plant cell
• How can plant stem cells be used in agriculture?

  To produce clones of desired plants
• What is the significance of producing stem cells with the same genes as the patient?

  They wouldn't be rejected by the patient's body
• What type of cell can early embryonic stem cells turn into?

  Any type of cell
• Give one place where stem cells can be found.

  Bone marrow
• Why could embryonic stem cells be used in the future?

  To replace faulty cells in sick people
• What is the significance of therapeutic cloning?

  It produces stem cells matching the patient
• What is a risk of using stem cells in medicine?

  Contamination with a virus
• What is the role of meristems in plants?

  Growth occurs in meristems
• What can stem cells in meristem tissues do?

  Differentiate into any type of plant cell
• What is the role of stem cells in medical research?

  To explore potential treatments for diseases