Stem Cells

• Mitosis- enables organisms to grow, replace worn out cells and repair damaged tissues.
• Meiosis- formation of gametes
• Each mitotic division produces two daughter cells that are genetically identical and have the same number of chromosomes as the mother cell. Each meiotic division produces four daughter cells that are genetically different and have half the number of chromosomes of the mother cell.
• Cancer is a result of uncontrolled mitosis.
• Stem cells are able to treat damaged or diseased tissue, providing a potent medical tool. The benefits of using your own stem cells include: no rejection, no need to find a donor, no need for tissue typing. However, the use of embryonic stem cells raises particular ethical issues.