Stem Cells

Question 1

___ stem cells have the potential to differentiate into ___ kinds of cell.

Answer 1

Embryonic, any

Question 2

Stem cells found in adults in ___ have the potential to differentiate into ___ kinds of cell.

Answer 2

bone marrow, limited

Question 3

How can stem cells be used in medicine?

Answer 3

Embryonic stem cells can be stimulated to differentiate into a certain type of cell then implanted into someone. This could aid in treatment of paralysis and diabetes, amongst others.

Question 4

Medical issues with embryonic stem cells include:

Answer 4

• Tumour development - if rate of division becomes uncontrolled.
• Disease transmission - viruses live inside cells, infection could be passed on.
• Rejection - the immune system may fight off the stem cells as foreign. Drug supression creates disease vulnerability.

Question 5

Why do some disagree with use of embryonic stem cells?

Answer 5

They feel that human embryos should not be used for experiments, each being a potential human life.

Question 6

In plants, the only cells that divide by ___ are found in tissues called ___s, found in the tips of areas that are ___ing, such as ___ and ___.

Answer 6

mitosis, meristem, grow, roots, shoots

Question 7

Meristems produce ___ cells that have potential to differentiate into ___ plant cell types.

Answer 7

undifferentiated, all

Question 8

When do meristem cells stop working?

Answer 8

When the plant dies.