SB2d - Stem Cells Flashcards
What are stem cells?
Cells that divide repeatedly over a long period of time to produce cells that then differentiation
What can plant stem cells do that most animal cells can’t?
Produce any kind of specialised cell throughout the life of the plant
What are embryonic stem cells?
The cells of an early stage embryo
What’s special about embryonic stem cells?
They can produce any type of specialised cell
What are adult stem cells?
Stem cells that can only produce the type of specialised cell that is in the tissue around them
What does an adult stem cell in humans do?
Allows the tissues to grow and to replace old/ damaged cells
Where are blood stem cells found?
In the marrow of long bones and divide throughout life
What are the two ways the adult blood stem cell is partly specialised?
Partly specialised blood stem cell and partly specialised immune system cell
When was the first successful bone marrow transplant carried out?
Late 1950s
How can stem cells be used to treat certain diseases?
By stimulating stem cells to make them produce the specialised cells that are needed and then injecting them into that place
What are the problems with using stem cells?
They can cause cancer if they start dividing uncontrollably and rejection (when the body may not accept the stem cells by being killed by the immune system).
