Stem cells pt 2 Flashcards
What can embryonic blood cells differentiate into?
All types of specialised cells e.g
nerve
blood
skin
sperm
what can adult stem cells differentiate into?
Only blood cells
White blood cells
platelets
Red blood cells
Where are plant stem cells found?
Meristems: tip of root and shoot
What are some of the specialised cells in plants and animals?
muscle
sperm
nerve
root hair cell
phloem
xylem
what can stem cells cure?
Paralyisis - damaged nerve cells
Type 1 diabetes- damaged pancreas that normally produces insulin
sickle cell anaemia - misshapen RBC’s
What are some drawbacks to embryonic stem cells in stem cell therapy?
Limited supply
ethical issues
rejection
Why do some stem cells reject the patient?
patients immune system may reject stem cells and try to destroy them because they think they are foreign.
What can you give to patients to reduce the risk of rejection?
medication to supress the immune system but this doesn’t always work.
What are some drawbacks to adult stem cells in stem cell therapy?
Can only differentiate into blood cells which only cures anaemia.
What are some advantages to adult stem cells?
Much easier to get a hold of and wont cause rejection.
What are the risks of using stem cells in medicine?
Virus transmission - If doner cells are infected with a virus this can transfer to patients
Tumor development - cells can differentiate quickly and rapidly with a chance that they can uncontrollably multiply creating tumors and cancer.
What are the ethical objections and advantages to embryonic stem cells.
They have potential for human life but some people believe that people who are suffering is more important to the rights of embryos.
They are also unwanted ones from fertility clinics that would have otherwise destroyed them - better than wasting it.
