Stem Cells

Question 1

What are stem cells?

Answer 1

Unspecialised cells that haven’t been differentiated into a specific cell type and don’t they have a specific cell function

Question 2

In which organisms are stem cells found?

Answer 2

Animals and plants

Question 3

State the 2 types of animal stem cells:

Answer 3

1. Embryonic stem cells
2. Adult stem cells

Question 4

What do embryonic stem cells do?

Answer 4

When a fertilised egg begins to divide it contains embryonic stem cells which can produce any kind of specialised cell

Question 5

What do adult stem cells do?

Answer 5

When fully developed a young animal can only produce the type of specialised cell that is in the tissue around it
They can only be used for growth and repair

Question 6

State the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells:

Answer 6

Embryonic stems cells can produce any kind of specialised cell but only as a fertilised egg cell
Adult stem cells can only produce the type of specialised cell in the tissue around it (growth and repair) when the young animal is fully developed

Question 7

What is the function of stem cells?

Answer 7

To produce any type of specialised cell

Question 8

What are 2 advantages of using stem cells for medical research?

Answer 8

1. Treating diabetes by replacing insulin producing cells
2. Bone marrow transplants treat diseases of the blood

Question 9

What are 3 disadvantages of using stem cells for medical research?

Answer 9

1. If see cells continue to divide after they have replaced damaged cells, they can cause cancer
2. Stem cells can be rejected/ killed off by the recipients immune system
3. Ethical issues over using aborted embryos for stem cells

Question 10

What are the ethical issues involved in stem cell research? (2)

Answer 10

1. Blastesists can be viewed as humans with rights therefore stopping potential life
2. Ending potential life (aborted embryos)

Question 11

What are iPSCs, and how can they be used to address ethical issues with embryonic stem cells?

Answer 11

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Reprogrammed to make any tissues in the body

Question 12

Where are stem cells found in plants, and how do they differ from those found in humans?

Answer 12

Meristems
Can differentiate into any type of specialised cell throughout the life of a plant yet this is not true in animals