Stem Cells Flashcards
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can divide to produce more undifferentiated cells and can differentiate into different types of cells depending on the instructions they receive.
Where are embryonic stem cells found?
Embryonic stem cells are found in early human embryos.
What is differentiation?
Differentiation is the process by which a cell changes to become specialized for its job.
What is the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells?
Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells are only found in certain places, like bone marrow, and cannot turn into any cell type — only certain ones, such as blood cells.
What are the ethical concerns surrounding stem cell research?
Some people oppose stem cell research because they believe human embryos should not be used for experiments, while others prioritize curing existing patients over the rights of embryos.
What is therapeutic cloning?
In therapeutic cloning, an embryo is created to have the same genetic information as the patient, allowing stem cells produced from it to be used without rejection.
How are stem cells used in medicine?
Adult stem cells are used to cure diseases, such as replacing faulty blood cells with healthy ones from a donor’s bone marrow.
What potential medical applications do embryonic stem cells have?
Embryonic stem cells could be used to create insulin-producing cells for diabetes, nerve cells for spinal injury patients, and more.
How are stem cells used in plants?
In plants, stem cells found in meristems can differentiate into any type of plant cell and can be used to produce clones of whole plants quickly and cheaply.
What are the benefits of using stem cells for cloning plants?
Stem cells can be used to grow more plants of rare species and to produce crops of identical plants with desired features, such as disease resistance.
What are alternative sources of stem cells?
Research is being done to reprogramme differentiated adult cells back to an undifferentiated stage, providing alternative sources of stem cells.
What are the risks associated with using stem cells in medicine?
Stem cells grown in a lab may become contaminated with viruses, which could pose risks if used in treatments.
What is the current legal status of stem cell research?
Stem cell research is banned in some countries but is allowed in the UK under strict guidelines.
