Stem Cells (3.11)

Question 1

Define the term stem cell

Answer 1

an undifferentiated cell of a multicellular organism which is capable of giving rise to indefinitely more cells of the same type, and from which certain other kinds of cell arise by differentiation.

Question 2

Define the term pluripotency

Answer 2

A stem cell has the potential to become any other type of cell except extra embryonic

Question 3

Define the term multipotency

Answer 3

the capacity of stem cells to differentiate into particular cell types associated with multiple cell lineages

Question 4

Define the term totipotency

Answer 4

the ability of a single cell to divide and produce all the differentiated cells in an organism, including extraembryonic tissues.

Question 5

Explain how pluripotent cells are extracted from an embryo

Answer 5

Embryonic stem cells are usually harvested shortly after fertilization (within 4-5 days) by transferring the inner cell mass of the blastocyst into a cell culture medium, so that the cells can be multiplied in a laboratory.

Question 6

Give the ethical arguments for and against the use of embryonic stem cells in research/medicine

Answer 6

Embryonic stem cells cannot consent to being used and as some religions and groups believe the embryo is a living person it makes it morally wrong to kill spare embryos.

Question 7

State what an induced pluripotent stem cell (IPSC) is

Answer 7

Genetically reprogramming adult stem cells into embryonic stem cells.

Question 8

Explain why IPSCs are advantageous over embryonic stem cells

Answer 8

It does not involve the use of embryonic stem cells so decreases the amount of ethical issues