B2.3/B2.4 - Stem Cells and dilemmas

Question 1

zygote

Answer 1

immediate form of cells after fertilisation

Question 2

embryo

Answer 2

after the zygote differentiates into a ball of cells

Question 3

embryonic stem cells

Answer 3

-formed from an early embryo
-can differentiate to form the specialised cells of the body

Question 4

adult stem cells

Answer 4

-found in adults (bone marrow)
-can specialise
-to form a limited number (type) of cells

Question 5

Stem cells in plants - pros

Answer 5

-meristems can be used to clone a mature parent plant
-quickly and economically
-can lead to prevention of rare plant extinction

Question 6

Plant cloning in agriculture

Answer 6

-plants are cloned to have identical characteristics
-like disease resistance
-producing large number with the same special features

Question 7

Ethical issues of stem cells

Answer 7

-as embryonic cells come from aborted/spare embryos, people question the moral aspects of it
-they cannot give permission to be used
-may be a violation of human rights

Question 8

Religious beliefs on stem cells

Answer 8

-cannot accepts interference with the natural process of human reproduction

Question 9

General issues with the use of stem cells

Answer 9

-expensive
-progress is slow/difficult
-can be cancerous
- may be infected with viruses that can be passed on
-may trigger an immune response in patient ( rejection from body)

Question 10

The future of stem cell research

Answer 10

-scientists have found embryonic stem cells in the umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid of a newborn
- can be used to overcome ethical concerns

Question 11

Therapeutic cloning

Answer 11

-a process where an embryo is produced by genetically identical to the patient so the cells can be used in medical treatments

Question 12

Pros of therapeutic cloning

Answer 12

-less likely to be rejected by patient’s body as it is genetically identical
-done to avoid ethical controversy
-can be used to grow new organs and not be rejected

Question 13

Stem cells and Type 1 diabetes

Answer 13

-stem cells have been found in tubes that connect the liver/pancreas to the small intestine
-scientists have turned these into special insulin-producing cells in the pancreas
-helps to control blood sugar
-replaces cells that where otherwise missing form patient

Question 14

Stem cell research can treat illness’ like:

Answer 14

-spinal cord injuries
-diabetes
-heart after heart attack damage
-eyesight in the blind
-damaged bone/cartilage