stem cells Flashcards
what’s differentiation?
a process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its job
what are stem cells?
-stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can divide to produce a lot more stem cells
- they can differentiate into different types of cells depending on what instructions are given.
where can they be found?
stem cells are found in early human embryos. they can turn into any kind of cells. they are also found in adults but in bone marrow.
what cant adult stem cells do?
adult stem cells cannot turn into any cell type at all only certain ones such as blood cells
where/ how can stem cells be grown?
embryonic and adult stem cells can be grown in a lab to produce clones (genetically identical cells) and made to differentiate into specialised cells to be used in medicine or research.
what else can stem cells do?
adult stem cells are already used to cure disease. for example stem cells transferred from the bone marrow of a healthy person can replace faulty blood cells in a patient who receives them.
what about embryotic stem cells?
they can also be used to replace faulty cells in sick people, you can make insulin-produces cells for people with diabetes, nerve cells for people who are paralysed by spinal injuries.
type of cloning? (therapeutic)
therapeutic cloning, an embryo could be made to have the same genetic information as the patient meaning that stem cells produced from it would also contain the same genes and wouldn’t be rejected by the patients body.
what are the risks?
stem cells grown in the lab may become contaminated with a virus which could be passed on to the patient and could make them sicker.
why are people against stem cell research?
-ethical reasons for the embryos since they are potential human lives.
-in some countries stem cell research is banned but is allowed in the uk.
why do people agree?
the embryos used in research are usually unwanted ones from fertility clinics, which if weren’t used for research would of been destroyed.
-there are other sources of stem cells so people could be helped without using embryos.
how can stem cells create plants?
- in plants stem cells are found in the meristems (where the growth happens)
- throughout the plants entire life, cells in meristems tissues can differentiate into any type of plant cell
-stem cells can be used to produce clones of the whole plant quickly and cheaply.
-can be used to create more plants of rare species
-stem cells can also be used to grow crops of identical plants that desired features for farmers for example:
disease resistance.
