Stem Cells

Question 1

Zygote

Answer 1

fertilized egg cell

Question 2

Stem cell

Answer 2

Uspecialised cell (not differentiated)

Question 3

DNA (genes)

Answer 3

Happens in the nucleus (DNA), genes switch on and off for specialisation

Question 4

What cells can it specialise into?

Answer 4

Can replicate many times, can be different types of cells

Question 5

Totipotent

Answer 5

Stem cells with the potential to differentiate into any type of cell (embryonic)

Question 6

Multipotent

Answer 6

Having the ability to produce many, but not all, kinds of differentiated cells (adult/somatic)

Question 7

Embryo stem cells (4 pros)

Answer 7

• can treat many diseases
• many available
• better than wasting them
• painless

Question 8

Embryo stem cells (7 cons)

Answer 8

• possible harm/death to embryo
• untested and unreliable
• may not work
• many have long term effects
• no embryo rights (not ethical)
• may be rejected
• risk of developing cancer

Question 9

Adult stem cells (4 pros)

Answer 9

• no ethical issues (permission granted)
• quick recovery
• doesn’t kill donor
• well tested

Question 10

Adult stem cells (6 cons)

Answer 10

• can cause diseases and infection
• painful
• unknown side effects (may be long term)
• possible rejection
• transfer diseases
• risk of cancer

Question 11

How does a stem cell become a specialised cell?

Answer 11

undergoes cell differentiation, where our genes switch on and off