Stem Cells Flashcards
What is a stem cell
Undifferentiated cell
What can undifferentiated cells divide into
They can differentiate into different types of cells
What is it called when stem cells are found in human embryos
Embryonic stem cells
What can embryonic stem cells do
They can turn into any kind of cell
Can be used to replace faulty cells in sick people. E.g: insulin producing cells for people with diabetes
Where are stem cells found in adults
Bone marrow
What can adult stem cells do
They can only turn into a certain cells such as blood cells
They can cure disease. E.g: stem cells transferred from a bone marrow of a healthy person can replace faulty blood cells in a sick patient
Nerve cells for paralysed people
What can stem cells from embryos and bone marrow produce to use in medicine and research
Clones (genetically identical cells) and made to differentiate into specialised cells
What is therapeutic cloning
An embryo could be made to have the same genetic information as the patient. This means the stem cells produced would contain the same genes so it wouldn’t be rejected by the patients body if used to replace faulty cells
What are the risks involved in using stem cells in medicine
Stem cells grown in the lab may become contaminated with a virus which could be passed on and make the patient sicker
Ethical and religious objections
Where are stem cells found in plants
Meristems (where the growth occurs)
When can cells in the meristem differentiate into any type of cell
Throughout the plants entire life
What can stem cells from meristems produce
Clones of whole plants quickly and cheaply
Grow more plants of rare species to prevent them becoming extinct
Grow crops of identical plants that have desired features such as disease resistant
