Stem Cells

Question 1

What are stem cells?

Answer 1

Unspecialised cells which have the ability to develop into other cells.
The cells in mature tissues have generally lost the ability to differentiate (become specialised); some cells in both plants and animals do not lose this ability and these are called stem cells.

Question 2

What do the bodies of multicellular organisms consist of?

Answer 2

A variety of different cells that are adapted for particular functions (specialised cells). These different cells originate from undifferentiated stem cells that have the capacity to develop into specialised cells.

Question 3

What is the potential of a specialised cell?

Answer 3

They have the potential for producing cells by mitosis to replace damaged cells.

Question 4

Source of stem cells in animals

Answer 4

• Embryo (embryonic stem cells) - from embryo’s left over from in vitro fertility (IVF) treatment
• Adult stem cells (from bone marrow)

Question 4

Source of stem cells in plants

Answer 4

Meristems (growing points in tips of roots and shoots)

Question 5

What are the uses of stem cell technology?

Answer 5

• To treat or cure many diseases (e.g. Parkinson’s, diabetes)
• To replace damaged tissues (e.g. spinal cord)
• To treat damaged or diseased tissue.

Question 6

What are the advantages of Adult stem cells (from patients own body)?

Answer 6

• body will accept cells so there will be no rejection issues.
• No need to find a donor
• No need for tissue typing
• No moral or ethical issues involving destruction of embryos.

Question 7

What is the disadvantage of an Adult stem cell (from patients own body)

Answer 7

Technology is still being developed.

Question 8

What is the advantage of an embryonic stem cell?

Answer 8

Source of cells readily available from IVF treatment.

Question 9

What are the disadvantages of an embryonic stem cell?

Answer 9

• Ethical issues
• Some people believe that destroying embryos means destruction of potential human life.