stem cells Flashcards
what are stem cells
undifferentiated cells which divide to become new cells that will differentiate
what can embryonic stem cells do
can divide and differentiate into any cell at all
what can scientists do with embryonic stem cells
can close these cells and direct them to differentiate into any cell in the body
where are adult stem cells found
only in certain places such as bone marrow
what can adult stem cells in bone marrow do
form blood cells
what are the only cells that did hide by mitosis in plants
meristems
what can meristems do
differentiate into any type of cell (produce unspecialised cells)
how long can these cells differentiate for
throughout the entire life of the plant
what can specialised cells in meristems be used for
making clones of the plant, for research or prevent extinction
what can adult stem cells so on medicine
cure diseases such as sickle cell anaemia by bone marrow transplant
what can embryonic stem cells do in medicine
produce specialised cells to be injected where needed, replace damaged cells :
eg: new cardiac muscle cells can be transplanted into someone with heart disease
potential risks; cancer
stem cells divide very quickly and if the rate at which transplanted cells divide inside a patient is not controlled, a tumour may develop
potential risk: disease transmission
viruses live inside cells so if a donor has a virus it can be passed on to the recipient and make them sicker
potential risks: rejection
the patients body might recognise the cells are foreign and trigger and immune response to try and get rid of them
