4.1.2.3 Stem Cells Flashcards
1
Q
What can stem cells do?
A
- divide to produce lord more undifferentiated cells
- differentiate into different types of cells depending on instructions given
2
Q
Where are stem cells found?
A
- early human embryos
- bone marrow
3
Q
Why are early human embryos a good source of stem cells?
A
- they have the potential to turn into any kind of cell
4
Q
How can stem cells of embryos and bone marrow be specialised?
A
- grown in a lab to produce clones
- made to differentiate into specialised cells
5
Q
What are the uses of stem cells?
A
- medicine
- research
6
Q
What are adult stem cells used for?
A
- curing diseases
- stem cells from bone barrow can replace faulty blood cells
7
Q
What can embryonic stem cells be used for?
A
- replace faulty cells in sick people
- insulin-producing cells for those with diabetes
- nerve cells for people who are paralysed
8
Q
What is therapeutic cloning?
A
- en embryo that could be made to have the same DNA as patient
- means stem cells produced would also contain same genes
- this means the body won’t reject them
9
Q
What are the risks involved using stem cells?
A
- stem cells grown in labs may become contaminated and pass it on
10
Q
Why are some people against stem cell research?
A
- human embryos are a potential human life
- they believe scientists should develop other sources of stem cells so they wouldn’t have to use embryos
- in some countries it is banned, in the UK you have to follow strict guidelines
11
Q
Why are some people for stem cell research?
A
- curing suffering patients is more important than rights of an embryo
- embryos used are usually unwanted ones from fertility clinics which would’ve been destroyed
12
Q
Where are stem cells found in plants?
A
- meristems (where growth occurs)
13
Q
What happens throughout a plants life in the meristem tissues?
A
- cells differentiate into any type of plant cell
14
Q
What can the stem cells in plants be used for?
A
- to produce clones of whole plants quickly and cheaply
- to grow more plants of rare species
- to grow crops of identical plants that have desired features for farmers
