Unit 1 : Stem Cells Flashcards

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1
Q

An embryo contains only a few unspecialised cells. What are these called?

A

Stem cells

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2
Q

What are stem cells?

A

Simple undifferentiated cells

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3
Q

What can stem cells do?

A
  • continue dividing by cell division to produce more stem cells
  • differentiate into a wide varity of specialised cell types
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4
Q

What are ‘embryonic stem cells’?

A

undifferentiated cells found in very early animal embryos and can form any cell type.

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5
Q

Where can embryonic stem cells be sourced from?

A

early embryos, umbilical cord and placenta.

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6
Q

What is an advantage of embryonic stem cells?

A

They grow rapidly and ae easy to culture.

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7
Q

What are adult stem cells?

A

Unspecialised cells found in certain organs in adults - bone marrow, blood, heart tissue.

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8
Q

What is a disadvantage of adult stem cells?

A

They are more difficult to grow and culture.

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9
Q

Where are ‘plant stem celss’ found?

A

In the APICAL growing points or MERISTEMS at the end of the shoots and the roots.

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10
Q

What is meant by ‘redifferentiate’?

A

Under certain conditions the specialisation of plant stem cells can be reversed. This allows scientists to produce large numbers of genetically identical plants in a very short time.

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11
Q

Which blood cancer can stem cells be used to treat?

A

Leukaemia

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12
Q

Ste cells can be used to produce new nervous tissue. What can this treat?

A

To treat Parkinson’s disease or paralysis due to spinal injuries.

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13
Q

How can stem cells help repair danaged joints?

A

To build new bone, tissue or cartilage.

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14
Q

How can they fight disease?

A

Stem cells can produce new immune cells which can fight disease.

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15
Q

How can stem cells be used in organ transplants?

A

To produce replacememt organs that match the patient’s tissue type, to stop organ rejection.

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16
Q

Fill in the gaps in the flow chart to explain how stem cells are used to treat leukaemia:
______ and _______ destroy cancerous blood cells in the patient.

A

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy

17
Q

The patient’s _______ ________
stops producing new blood cells.

A

Bone marrow

18
Q

Patient is given a transplant of bone marrow containing _______ _________ from a healthy matching donor.

A

Stem cells

19
Q

Donor stem celss multiply and produce healthy _______ _______ in the patient.

A

Blood cellls

20
Q

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy destroy patients white blood cells before the stem cell transplant. Hoe does this make the patient very vunerable?

A

It leaves the patient with no immune system.

21
Q

Stem stills are at risk of dividing in an uncontrolled way. What can this cause?

A

it may cause tumours or unwanted cell types.

22
Q

What ethical issues surround the use of stem cells?

A
  • use of embryo in this way may be considered murder by some
  • human rights of embryo are ignored
  • religous grounds, feel that scientists are ‘playing God’
  • may lead to cloning and designer babies