cell differentiation DEFINITELY IN EXAM Flashcards
define embryonic stem cells
completely undifferentiated cells
(have the capacity to specialise into any type of cell)
e.g: sperm cell, egg cell, nerve cell, muscle cell
define cell differentation
the process by which cells become specialised for their role
define adult stem cells
found in the bone marrow and can only differentiate into different types of blood cells
what part of the plant doesn’t fully differentiate so has the ability to stay as stem cells
meristems
what does the meristem not being fully differentiated mean?
we can take a cutting of a plant and use it to grow clones very cheaply and quickly
(can replicate rare species and grow identical crop plants with desirable characteristics)
once you have collected some stem cells what do you do with them?
clone them in a laboratory
how are adult stem cells useful for a patient with faulty blood cells
adult stem cells are transferred from a healthy persons bone marrow into the patient
why are adult stem cells limited
they can only differentiate into blood cells whereas embryonic stem cells have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell
weigh up the positives and negatives of embryonic stem cells
positives: they have the possibility of potentially curing hundreds of diseases as they can differentiate into any type of cell
negatives: stem cells are made in another body so the patients body may recognise them as being foreign so try to destroy them ( overcome with therapeutic cloning)
while being grown in a laboratory stem cells may pick up a virus
many feel the embryos used have the potential for human life ( embryo’s used are the unwanted ones from fertility clinics)
what is therapeutic cloning
embryo could be made to have the same genetic material as the patient who needs the stem cell treatment so any stem cells transferred to the patient wouldn’t be rejected
