7.2.3 stem cells Flashcards
What is a stem cell?
Undifferentiated cells that have the ability to differentiate into many different types of cells
What are totipotent cells?
Cells that can differentiate into all types of specialised cells
What are pluripotent cells?
Cells that differentiate into many types of specialised cells, but not placental cells
What are multipotent cells?
Stem cells found in mature mammals that can give rise to multiple types of cells
What do cells form 3-5 days after fertilisation?
The blastocyst
What cells do the blastocyst contain?
Pluripotent cells
What cells are commonly used to treat human disease?
Pluripotent cells
How can stem cells be used in treatment?
-Replacement of damaged tissues
-Treatment in diseases such as Parkinson’s or diabetes
What is one ethical consideration in using embryonic stem cells?
It may be considered unethical to kill an embryo in the process of stem cell extraction
What are induced pluripotent stem cells?
Adult stem cells that have been reprogrammed (using protein transcription factors) to become pluripotent again
How is the use of induced pluripotent stem cells more ethical?
Overcomes the ethical issues that come with using embryonic stem cells
What is one con of using iPS cells?
They have a tendency to become cancerous
What are the four genes used to make iPS cells?
-Oct4
-Sox2
-Klf4
-c-Myc
