Stem Cells

Question 1

Stem cells

Answer 1

A baseline cell that can differentiate into many different cell types.
Divide through mitosis, and each daughter cell can differentiate based on which portions of DNA are switched on.

Question 2

Stem Cell types

Answer 2

Embryonic: can differentiate into ANY type of cell.
Tissue stem cell: Exist in certain tissues, can only become certain cells (example is BONE MARROW cells, which can become white or red blood cells, or platelets)

Question 3

Cord Cell Banking

Answer 3

The umbilical cord is a rich source of stem cells (tissue stem cells). Hospitals now keep umbilical cords for families.
These stem cells can be used for the treatment of cancers such as Leukemia

Question 4

Tissue Stem cell transplantation

Answer 4

Leukemia is a cancer where blood cells are created too quickly. During treatment, diseased white blood cells are removed. Healthy blood cells are brought in from bone marrow that matches. Donor’s blood stem cells grow in the patient’s own bone marrow.

Question 5

Tissue Engineering

Answer 5

Regeneration: the ability of a tissue to repair itself (like skin, muscle, and bone marrow).
Nerve cells cannot regenerate completely.
Scientists trying to use tissue stem cells of certain organisms in order to regenerate limbs and body parts