Stem Cells Flashcards
What is a stem cell?
Unspecialised cells that are able too divide by mitosis to make new cells
How do stem cells become specialised?
Stem cells differentiate (develop new features) and become specialised - ones which have the structures and proteins needed to carry out a specific job in the organism
What controls differentiation?
Genes
What happens to genes during differentiation?
Genes are ‘switched off’ (silenced) so that they cannot be transcribed. This ensures the only proteins produced in the specialised cell are the ones need to carry out its particular job
What two types of stem cells are in humans?
Adult and embryonic
What is an embryonic stem cell?
Stem cells that are found in the early form of the embryo. They can differentiate into any type of cell
What is an adult stem cell?
Stem cells which are present in some tissues in organisms (from the time they have recognisable organs). There are several different types. They divide by mitosis and each type of stem cell can differentiate into a few different types of specialised cell.
What specialised cells can adult stem cells differentiate into?
Bone marrow stem cells which can only form blood cells and bone cells
What can stem cells be used for?
Treat many different diseases, repair damaged issues and grow new organs for transplant
Why would we transplant adult stem cells?
If someone has a damaged immune system (perhaps due to cancer or leukaemia) they may receive a bone marrow transplant
Advantage of adult stem cells?
Easy to collect for treatment
Disadvantage of adult stem cells?
Can only become a limited number of cells
Disadvantage of embryonic stem cells?
People object due to morals
