Cell Replacement therapy

Question 1

What is cell replacement therapy?

Answer 1

Is the process of replacing damaged cells with stem cells that can differentiate into specialised cells. It is a potential treatment for any disorder involving the loss, of, or injury to normal cells.

Question 2

What are the 3 types of stem cells?

Answer 2

1. Totipotent stem cells
2. Pluripotent stem cells
3. Multipotent stem cells

Question 3

What are totipotent stem cells?

Answer 3

Have the ability to form the embryo and the membranes that will surround, support and nourish it.

Question 4

What are pluripotent stem cells?

Answer 4

Are capable of giving rise to most, but not all, tissue of an organism.

Question 5

What are multipotent stem cells?

Answer 5

Are able to give rise to cells that have a specific function.

Question 6

What neurogenerative diseases can cell replacement therapy be used to combat?

Answer 6

• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimers disease

Question 7

What is/what is the cause of Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 7

Results from damage to the nerve cells that produce dopamine, a chemical that is vital for the smooth control of muscles and movements.

Question 8

What are the 4 symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 8

1. Shaking
2. Muscle stiffness
3. Slow movements
4. Posture and balance problems

Question 9

When does Parkinson’s disease usually develop?

Answer 9

After 65 years of age.

Question 10

What is/what is the cause of Alzheimer’s disease?

Answer 10

Is characterised by changes in the brain that leave deposits of proteins and cause loss of connections between neurons.

Question 11

What are 4 symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?

Answer 11

1. loss of memory
2. impaired reasoning
3. judgment and decision-making skills
4. changes in personality and behaviour

Question 12

How can cell replacement therapy be used against degenerative diseases such as Parkinsons’ disease?

Answer 12

There is the potential to grow stem cells into new neurons to replace damaged cells to improve the quality of life. Brain cells from human foetuses can be transplanted into people with Parkinson’s disease and the use of embryonic stem cells not only survive but also establish connections with adjacent neurons.

Question 13

How can cell replacement therapy be used against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease?

Answer 13

There is the potential to grow stem cells into new neurons to replace damaged cells to improve the quality of life. Scientists can make dopamine-producing neurons from human stem cells.

Question 14

What is tissue engineering?

Answer 14

The primary objective is to restore healthy tissues or organs for patients and eliminate the need for tissue or organ transplants or artificial transplants. It reduces the risk of rejection as the patient’s own cells are used.

Question 15

Why are stem cells used in cell replacement therapy and tissue engineering?

Answer 15

They are used due to their ability to multiply and differentiate.

Question 16

What are stem cells?

Answer 16

Undifferentiated cells that undergo mitotic divisions and under conditions can differentiate into specialised cells.

Question 17

Why does tissue engineering utilise a scaffold to grow on?

Answer 17

It is a natural or synthetic material to produce 3-dimensional tissue. They serve as a template for tissue growth and need to have large pore sizes that enable cells to grow while allowing the diffusion of nutrients throughout the whole structure.

Question 18

Why do tissue scaffolds need to be biodegradable?

Answer 18

So they can be absorbed by surrounding tissues without having to be surgically removed.