stem cells

• A stem cell is a undifferentiated cell which can give rise to more of the same type and can differentiate to form different types of cells.
• The stem cells in bone marrow can differentiate into many different types of blood cells.
• Leukaemia is a cancer of bone marrow.

  -To treat this, first the patients existing bone marrow is destroyed using radiation.

  -The patient then receives a transplant of bone marrow from a donor

  The stem cells in the bone marrow now divide and form new bone marrow. They also differentiate and form blood cells
• Problems with bone marrow transplant

  • donor has to be compatible with patient