Stem Cells

Question 1

What is differentiation

Answer 1

when a cell changes by aquiring different subcellular structures

Question 2

What is a stem cell?

Answer 2

An undifferentiated cell

Question 3

2 jobs of a stem cell?

Answer 3

Differentiation
regeneration of new stem cells

Question 4

Stem cells in animals

Answer 4

Most stem cells differentiate at an early stage.
Embryonic stem cells will make all of the specialised cells

Question 5

How can we use embryonic cells?

Answer 5

Embryonic stem cells can be cloned and then made to differentiate into different cell types for treatment. For example, nerve cells can be cloned to help people with paralysis and pancreatic cells can be cloned to help treat type one diabetes.

Question 6

Issues with stem cell treatment?

Answer 6

Adult stem cells have a risk of carrying viruses and could infect the patient receiving them.
Stem cells can reject if not donated by a relative
Embryos cannot convent to being used in research.
It is against some religions

Question 7

Plant stem cells

Answer 7

plant stem cells differentiates throughout their whole life unlike animal stem cells.
They are found in meristem tissues in the roots and stems of plant where mitosis is constantly taking place

Question 8

How can we use plant stem cells?

Answer 8

To clone plants. This helps:
Save money
Save rare species
Clone crops to develop special features.