stem cells and differentiation

Question 1

what are stem cells

Answer 1

unspecialised cells that aren’t adapted for their function yet

Question 2

what is cell differentiation

Answer 2

the process through which cells divide and become specialised

Question 3

what are specialised cells

Answer 3

cells that have a specific function and are adapted for that specific function by having specific shapes and structures.

Question 4

what is stem cell therapy

Answer 4

Stem cells can divide to produce new cells, which can then divide into different cell types. They therefore have the potential to be transplanted into patients to treat medical conditions and disease. They could be used to replace cells that have been damaged or destroyed,

Question 5

advantages of stem cell therapy (3)

Answer 5

• treatment with stem cells is less invasive that organ replacement
• can be used to treat many conditions as they differentiate into a number of different cell types
• if they are sourced from patient, they’ll have some antigens that will remove risk of immune rejection of cells

Question 6

disadvantages of stem cell therapy

Answer 6

• a lot of people have ethical concerns especially with
  embryonic stem cells as they come from the embryo
  and it needs to be destroyed to get them out.
• restricted to form tissues and small structures and
  not able to form into larger/complex organs like
  heart
• some scientists think injecting stem cells increases risk of cancer