stem cells

Question 1

totipotent

Answer 1

they can differentiate into all the cell types that make up an entire organism including the extraembryonic tissue e.g zygotic stem cell

Question 2

pluripotent

Answer 2

they can differentiate into almost any cell type that make up an organism except the embryonic tissue such as the placenta

Question 3

multipotent

Answer 3

they can differentiate into limited and related range of cell types and tissues in an organism e.g blood stem cells

Question 4

destruction of embryos

Answer 4

avoids the moral dilemma of destroying a potential human life to save another human life

Question 5

controversial creation of embryos for research purposes

Answer 5

provides an alternative to the controversial creation of embryos for research purposes and as a source of spare parts

Question 6

possible exploitation of female ooctye donors

Answer 6

avoids possible exploitation of female donors for their eggs, especially in poorer countries or in countries with fewer legal restrictions

Question 6

risks to oocyte and embryo donors

Answer 6

bypasses the risks and medical complications involved in egg retrieval

Question 7

unipotent

Answer 7

ability to produce only one cell type but have the property of self renewal which distinguishes them from non-stem cells

Question 8

functions of blood stem cells

Answer 8

-blood stem cells can undergo differentiation to form the different types of blood cells- red blood cells and white blood cells
- to replace worn out or damaged blood cells
- the blood stem cells will constantly divide to replace cells such as the red blood cells that are worn out in three to four months

Question 9

characteristic of stem cells

Answer 9

-stem cells are capable of remaining undifferentiated and unspecialised for a long time
-stem cells are capable of dividing indefinitely and renewing itself many times by mitosis
-stem cells can undergo differentiation, giving rise to specialised cell types upon receiving appropriate molecular signs