stem cells

• stem cells can divide by mitosis to produce more stem cells or differentiate into specialised cells
• where are stem cells found?

  in early human embryos
• where are adult stem cells found?

  Various tissues and organs like bone marrow
• medicines use adult stem cells to cure disease and replace damaged tissue
• embryonic stem cells could also be used to replace faulty cells in sick people
• in therapeutic cloning an embryo could be make to have the same genetic information as the patient
• what are the disadvantages of using stem cells?

  embryos are viewed as potential human life (ethical problems), potential for tumor formation, and immune rejection.
• where are stem cells found in plants and what can they be used for?

  meristems

  used to grow rare species and to grow crops with desirable features