Topic 1 - Stem Cells (Paper 2) Flashcards
what is a specialised cell?
a cell that carrys out a particular function
what is cell differentiation?
the process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its job
what is a stem cell?
an undifferentiated cell, which can differentiate into different types of cells
where are stem cells found?
embryos - can differentiate into any type of cell
bone marrow - can only turn into certain types of cell
what are stem cells used for?
adult stem cells can be used to replace faulty blood cells
embryonic stem cells can replace any faulty cells
what are the risks involved in using stem cells in medicine?
they can become contaminated with a virus which could be passed on to the patient
why are some people against stem cell research?
they feel that human embryos shouldnt be used for experiments
why do some people support stem cell research?
they think curing patients is more important than the rights of embryos
embryos used are normally unwanted, so would just be destroyed
