8 - Stem cells

Question 1

Define stem cells

Answer 1

Undifferentiated cells that can continually divide and become specialised

Question 2

What are the four type of stem cells?

Answer 2

1) Totipotent
2) Pluripotent
3) Multipotent
4) Unipotent

Question 3

Totipotent cells:
1) What type of cells do they become?
2) Where do they develop?
3) Why can they specialise?

Answer 3

1) Any type
2) Early mammalian embryos
3) Only translate part of their DNA

Question 4

Pluripotent:
1) What type of cells do they become?
2) Where do they develop?
3) Why can they specialise?

Answer 4

1) Almost any type of cell
2) Embryo
3) Only translate part of DNA

Question 5

Why are pluripotent cells used in research?

Answer 5

Treat human disorders and stem cells can grow damaged cells such as replace burnt skill cells. Can differentiate into many more cell types and will continue to divide ny mitosis.

Question 6

What are the issues with stem cells for research?

Answer 6

1) Stem cells can continue to divide to form tumours

2) Therapeutic cloning to make an embryo to get the stem cells. Embryo then destroyed and some believe that they are already living at that point.

Question 7

Multipotent:
1) What type of cells do they become?
2) Where do they develop?
3) Why can they specialise?

Answer 7

1) Limited range of cell types
2) Mature mammals e.g. bone marrow

Question 8

What type of cells can unipotent produce?

Answer 8

One type of cell

Question 9

Where do unipotent cells develop?

Answer 9

Mature mammal

Question 10

What can unipotent stem cells differentiate into?

Answer 10

Cardiomycytes

Question 11

What are induced pluripotent stem cells? (4)

Answer 11

• Lab grown pluripotent cells
• Produced from human somatic cells using certain transcription factors
• Overcomes stem cells ethical issues
• Self renewal - divide indefinitely