6.5 Stem Cells Flashcards
What are stem cells
Undifferentiated cells
They are able to undergo cell division again and again
What are teh 3 different types of stem cell
Totipotent
Pluripotent
Multipotent
What are totipotent stem cells
Stems cells that can differentiate into any type of cell
They are destined to eventually produce a whole organism
What are pluripotent stem cells
Can form all tissue types but not whole organisms
Present in early embryos f
What are multipotent stem cells
Can only form a range of cells within a certain tissue type
Haematological stem cells in bone marrow are multipotent
How’s the erythrocytes replaces contanstsly due to there short lifespan
Stem cell colonies in the bone marrow produce approx 3billion erythrocytes per kilogram of body mass per day
What are teh sources if animal stem cells
Embryonic stem cells
Tissue (adult) stem cells
What are embryonic stem cells
Presnet at a very early stage of embryo dveelopemnet
Totipotent
What are tissue stem cells
Present throughout life from birth
Found in specific areas like bone marrow
Multipotent
What are the sources of plant stems cells
Meristematic tissue (meristems) Tissue is found wherever growth is occurring in plants like tips of shoots or roots
What is teh vascular cambium
Where meristematic tissue is sandwiched between the phloem and and xylem tissues
What are the potential uses of stem cells
Heart disease Type 1 diabetes Parkinson’s disease Alzheimer’s disease Macular degeneration Birth defects
What are stem cells already used for
Treat burns
Drug trials
Developmental biology
What are the religious and ethical concerns with embryonic stem cells
Removal of stem cells from embryos can destroy the embryo
They believe the distraction of embryos can be murder
