stem cells eoy

Question 1

what’s a stem cell?

Answer 1

an undifferentiated cell which can undergo division to produce more similar cells, of which some will differentiate to have different functions

Question 2

types of stem cells

Answer 2

• embryonic stem cells
• adult stem cells
• meristem cells

Question 3

embryonic stem cells

Answer 3

form when an egg and sperm cell fuse to form a ​zygote

differentiate into any cell in the body

can be cloned

Question 4

adult stem cells

Answer 4

if found in bone marrow they can form many types of cells e.g blood cells

also found in muscles, skin, brain, heart

Question 5

meristems

- in plants

Answer 5

can differentiate into any plant cell

can be used to make clones if parent plant has desirable features

for research and saving plants from extinction

Question 6

what are meristem plants?

Answer 6

regions of unspecialised cells in plants that are capable of cell division.

they make unspecialised cells that have the potential to become any type of specialised cell.

Question 7

where are meristems found?

Answer 7

at the tips of roots:
provide a constant supply of new cells allowing roots to grow longer

at the tips of shoots:
allow a plant to keep growing taller and spread wider

between the xylem and phloem:
increase the width of a plant- results in the annual growth rings in trees

Question 8

benefits of stem cells

Answer 8

good for treating incurable diseases

can be used to replace damaged, diseased body parts

can be used to treat burn survivors, for medical therapy

Question 9

risks of stem cells

Answer 9

it is not completely understood yet

removes of stem cells results in destruction of the embryo

people may believe that it interferes with the natural process of reproduction