B1 Stem Cells

Question 1

What is a stem cell?

Answer 1

A cell that hasn’t become specified

Question 2

What can they do?

Answer 2

They are able to turn in many different cell types.

Question 3

Embryonic stem cells

Answer 3

Are found in embryos.
Have the ability to differentiate into all cell types

Question 4

Adult Stem Cells

Answer 4

Are found in tissues such as the brain, bone marrow, skin and liver.
Can differentiate into some but not all types of cell.

Question 5

Stem cells in plants?

Answer 5

Found in meristems
These are in the root and shoot tips, and buds.
These stem cells have thin cell walls and small vacuoles compared to normal plant cells.

Question 6

Use of stem cells?

Answer 6

Have the potential to treat a wide range of medical conditions:
Spinal cord injury.
Diabetes.
Heart disease.
Parkinson’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease.