B4.1-Cell biology part 3

Question 1

What is the function of stem cells in embryos?

Answer 1

In a human embryo, stem cells multiply and differentiate to form the different types of cell in the human body

Question 2

What is the function of stem cells in adult humans?

Answer 2

Stem cells in adult bone marrow can form many types of cells, including blood cells.

Question 3

What is the function of stem cells in plants?

Give 2 uses of plant stem cells.

Answer 3

Meristem tissue in plants can differentiate into any type of plant cell,
throughout the life of the plant.

Stem cells from meristems in plants can be used to produce clones of
plants quickly and economically.
• Rare species can be cloned to protect from extinction.
• Crop plants with special features such as disease resistance can be
cloned to produce large numbers of identical plants for farmers.

Question 4

How could stem cells be used in medical treatment?

Answer 4

Treatment with stem cells may be able to help conditions such as diabetes and paralysis.

Question 5

What is therapeutic cloning?

Answer 5

In therapeutic cloning an embryo is produced with the same genes as the patient. Stem cells from the embryo are not rejected by the patient’s body so they may be used for medical treatment.

Question 6

Give 2 disadvantages of using stem cells in medical treatment.

Answer 6

The use of stem cells has potential risks such as transfer of viral infection.
Some people have ethical or religious objections.