stem cells

• What are stem cells?

  Cells that can divide and differentiate
• Why are stem cells important?

  They can divide and become specialized cells
• What are the two key features of stem cells?

  • Ability to divide by mitosis
  • Ability to differentiate into specialized cells
• What is the process by which stem cells divide?

  Mitosis
• What is a zygote?

  A single cell formed after fertilization
• What type of stem cells are formed from a zygote?

  Embryonic stem cells
• What can embryonic stem cells differentiate into?

  Any type of cell
• How do adult stem cells differ from embryonic stem cells?

  Adult stem cells can only differentiate into a narrow range
• Where are adult stem cells found?

  In bone marrow
• What types of cells can adult stem cells differentiate into?

  Different types of blood cells
• What is the role of adult stem cells?

  To replace damaged cells
• Where in plants are stem cells located?

  In areas that are continually growing
• What do plant stem cells differentiate into?

  All cells and tissues the plant needs
• How long do plant stem cells persist?

  For the plant's entire life
• What is the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells?

  • Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any cell type.
  • Adult stem cells can only differentiate into a limited range of cells.
• What are the functions of stem cells in animals and plants?

  • Animals: Replace damaged cells, maintain blood cell levels.
  • Plants: Differentiate into various tissues for growth.
• What are stem cells?

  Cells that can divide and differentiate
• How can stem cells be used to treat diabetes?

  By replacing damaged pancreas cells
• What condition can stem cells potentially treat related to paralysis?

  By producing healthy nerve cells
• What are the two important features of stem cells?

  They can divide and differentiate
• What are the two main types of stem cells?

  Embryonic and adult stem cells
• Where are embryonic stem cells found?

  In the early embryo
• What can adult stem cells differentiate into?

  Different types of blood cells
• What causes type 1 diabetes?

  Damage to pancreas cells
• What is sickle cell anemia caused by?

  Misshapen red blood cells
• What is the basic idea behind using stem cells in medicine?

  To replace faulty cells with healthy ones
• How do scientists typically obtain embryonic stem cells?

  By extracting them from early embryos
• What is a common technique for using stem cells in treatment?

  Stimulating differentiation in a lab
• How can stem cells help diabetic patients?

  By producing insulin in the pancreas
• What is a potential treatment for paralysis using stem cells?

  Producing healthy nerve cells
• What is a drawback of using embryonic stem cells?

  Limited supply and ethical issues
• Why might a patient's immune system reject stem cells?

  Different genomes between embryo and patient
• What is a benefit of using adult stem cells?

  They can be taken from the patient
• What is a limitation of adult stem cells?

  They can only differentiate into blood cells
• What are two potential risks of using stem cells?

  Virus transmission and tumor development
• What does virus transmission refer to in stem cell therapy?

  Infected stem cells transferring viruses to patients
• why is tumour development a risk using stem cells?

  because it can divide quickly

  a chance it will get out of control once transmitted
• What is the ethical objection to using embryonic stem cells?

  Potential for human life in embryos
• What do some people believe is more important than embryo rights?

  Curing suffering individuals
• Where do the embryos used in research typically come from?

  Unwanted embryos from fertility clinics