cell differation and stem cells

• Stem cells


  Unspecialised or undifferentiated cells that have the potential to become almost any type of cell
• Once a cell is fully specialised, it will possess sub-cellular organelles specific to the function of that cell
• Plant cells retain their ability to differentiate (specialise) throughout their life, whereas Animal cells are mainly restricted to repair and replacement in later life
• Therapeutic cloning


  Can be used to treat diabetes
• Embryonic stem cells (that can specialise in any type of cell) are produced with the same genes as the person who needs the treatment, when these cells are put into the body they are not usually rejected
• Benefits of using stem cells


  • Stem cells left over from IVF treatment (that would otherwise be destroyed) can be used to treat serious conditions
  • Stem cells are useful in studying how cell division goes wrong (such as cancers)
  • Stem cells could be used to grow new organs for transplantation in the future
• Risks and objections of using stem cells

  • There is a risk of transferring viral infections by using stem cells
  • Stem cells might act as a reservoir of cancer cells and spread to other parts of the body when used in an operation
  • Some people believe that an embryo of any age is a human being and so should not be used to grow cells
• Meristems


  Regions of rapid cell division in plants that contain stem cells that can produce clones cheaply and quickly
• Meristems can be used for producing large numbers of disease resistant plants, growing and preserving rare varieties to protect them from extinction