Section 2.3 Stem Cells Flashcards
1
Q
What is a zygote?
A
When an egg cell and sperm cell fuse they form a zygote
2
Q
What is an embryo?
A
Many zygotes forming a hollow ball of cells
3
Q
What are stem cells?
A
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells which can differentiate to form different kinds of specialised cells
4
Q
Where can you find stem cells in the human body?
A
The embryo has stems cells
Most stem cells in your body have differentiated but, you can still find stem cells in the bone marrow
5
Q
How can stem cells treat health problems?
A
Some cells cannot repair themselves by mitosis and remain damaged forever, for example nerve cells. If scientists cultivate stem cells, they can form any type of cell in the human body to replace it.
6
Q
What are the problems with stem cells?
A
- There is an ETHICAL ISSUE as if stems cells are cultivated from embryos, it may be against the embryo’s human right as it did not give permission
- Developing therapies using stem cells has been very SLOW
- It may cause CANCER
- Making stem cells if DIFFICULT, EXPENSIVE and HARD TO CONTROL
