Stem cells - SB2 Flashcards
what are stem cells?
cells that can divide repeatedly over a long period of time to produce cells that differenciate
What is true about plant stem cells that is not for animal stem cells?
plant can produce any kind of specialised cell throughout its life
what is unique about embriotic stem cells?
they can produce any type of specialised cell
what happens to an embryoes stem cells as it develops?
different areas will become different organs - the stem cells become more limited in the types of specialised cell they ca produce
what do adult stem cells do?
allow tissue to grow and replace old/damaged cells
How are stem cells used to treat type 1 diabetes?
stimulating stem cells to make them produce specialised cells that are needed and injecting them into places they are needed
What are the issues with stem cells?
if stem cells continue to divide inside the body after they have replaced damaged cells - they can cause cancer. Stem cells from one person are often killed by the immune system of other people that they are out into
