Stem cells

Question 1

What are stem cells?

Answer 1

Undifferentiated cells that continually divide and become specialized.

Question 2

What are totipotent stem cells?

Answer 2

These are stem cells found in the embryo. They can differentiate into any cell.

Question 3

What are pluripotent stem cells?

Answer 3

These are stem cells found in the embryo. They can differentiate into any cell except placental stem cells.

Question 4

What are multipotent stem cells?

Answer 4

They are stem cells found in adult mammals that can differentiate into a few different types of cells.

Question 5

What are unipotent stem cells?

Answer 5

They are stem cells found in adult mammals that can differentiate into only one cell.

Question 6

How are induced pluripotent stem cells made?

Answer 6

1. The adult stem cells are infected with a specially modified virus.
2. The virus has the genes that code for specific transcription factors within its DNA.
3. When the virus infects the adult cell, its genes are passed into the adult cell’s DNA.
4. The adult stem cell can produce the transcription factors associated with pluripotent cells.

Question 7

What are the ethical issues with using stem cells?

Answer 7

1. Removing the stem cells destroys them when they have the potential to become a fetus if placed in a womb.

Question 8

What are the benefits of stem cell therapy?

Answer 8

1. It could save many lives.
2. The stem cells can be genetically identical to the patient cells. Therefore, any organs produced from these stem cells won’t be rejected by the patient.