Stem Cells

• Chromosomes carry genetic information in a molecule called DNA.
• A type of cell division called mitosis ensures that when a cell divides each new cell produced has the same genetic information.
• Part of Biology (Single Science) Cell biology
• Adult stem cells can differentiate into related cell types only, for example, bone marrow can differentiate into blood cells and cells of the immune system.
• Adult stem cells can only differentiate into a limited number of related cell types.
• The main meristems are close to the tip of the shoot, and the tip of the root.
• In a growing shoot, new cells are being produced continuously near the tip.
• Adult stem cells are found in limited numbers at certain locations in the body.
• The body's defence system against entry of any foreign body, including pathogens and agents such as pollen grains, is the immune system.
• Discover how cells differ in plants and animals and why they're really useful for scientists.
• As the cells become older, further away from the tip, they become differentiated – they enlarge and develop vacuoles.
• A space within the cytoplasm of plant cells that contains cell sap is called a vacuole.
• Cell division in plants occurs in regions called meristems.
• Cells of the meristem can differentiate to produce all types of plant cells at any time during the life of the plant.
• Adult stem cells can be found in several regions of the body, including the: brain, eyes, blood, heart, liver, bone marrow, skin, muscle.
• The role of the immune system is to prevent disease but not other cell types.