Stem Cells

Question 1

What type of cell can turn into any type of cell

Answer 1

Embryonic Stem cells

Question 2

Describe and explain what stem cells are and do

Answer 2

• They are undifferentiated cells
• they can divide to produce more undifferentiated cells
• They can differentiate into different types of cells depending on what instructions they are given

Question 3

Where do you find stem cells

Answer 3

• In early human embryos
• Bone marrow in adults (but these stem cells can’t turn into every type of cell - just certain ones like blood cells)
• In plants, found in the meristems (part of plant where growth occurs)

Question 4

Why are stem cells so exciting for doctors

Answer 4

They can turn into any type of cells

Question 5

What can you use stem cells for

Answer 5

• grown in a lab to produce clones (genetically identical cells)
• made to differentiate into specialised cells to use in medicine or research

Question 6

Why might stem cells be able to cure disease (4)

Answer 6

• stem cells transferred from, the bone marrow of a healthy person can replace the faulty blood cells in the patient who receives them
• embryonic stem cells can be used to replace faulty cells in sick people
• you could make insulin-producing cells for people with diabetes
• you could make nerve cells for people paralysed by spinal injuries

Question 7

Explain therapeutic cloning

Answer 7

• embryo made to have the same genetic information as patient
• meaning the stem cells produced would also contain the same genes = wouldn’t be rejected by the patients body

Question 8

What is the issue with therapeutic cloning

Answer 8

• there are risks using stem cells in medicine
• For example: stem cells grown in the lab may be contaminated with a virus which could be passed on to the patient and so make them sicker

Question 9

Why are some people against stem cell research, and what are the counters

Answer 9

• some feel human embryos shouldn’t be used for experiments since each one is potential human life
  —but—> curing patients that already exist and and are suffering is more important than the right of embryos
  ———-> the embryos that are used in the research are unwanted ones from fertility clinics which were already going to be destroyed
• scientists should concentrate more on finding and developing other sources of stem cells, so people could be helped without having to use embryos
• In some countries stem cell research is banned, but it’s allowed in the UK as long as it follows strict guidelines

Question 10

Explain the use of stem cells in plant production

Answer 10

• they can produce identical plants
• in plants, stem cells are found in the meristems
• through out entire life of plant, the stem cells in the meristems can differentiate into any type of plant cells
• these stem cells can be used to produce clones of whole plants quickly and cheaply
• They can be used to grow more plants of rare species (prevent extinction)
• Stem cells can also be used to grow crops of identical plants that have desired features for farmers, e.g. disease resistance