Stem cells Flashcards
(19 cards)
What are stem cells?
Cells that have not undergone differentiation.
What is an undifferentiated cell?
A cell which has not yet become specialised.
What develops from a fertilised egg?
An embryo.
What are embryonic stem cells?
Stem cells removed from the embryo that can differentiate into any cell type.
What are adult stem cells?
Stem cells found in limited numbers at certain locations in the body.
Where can adult stem cells be found? List at least three locations.
- Brain
- Eyes
- Blood
- Heart
- Liver
- Bone marrow
- Skin
- Muscle
What types of cells can adult stem cells differentiate into?
Related cell types only.
What can bone marrow cells differentiate into?
Blood cells and cells of the immune system.
What medical conditions can stem cell treatments help?
- Diabetes
- Paralysis
What is therapeutic cloning?
A process to produce an embryo with the same genes as the patient.
Why can stem cells from therapeutic cloning be used for medical treatments?
They will not be rejected by the person receiving them.
What are some risks associated with using stem cells for medical treatments?
Transfer of viral infections.
What concerns do some people have regarding stem cell use?
Ethical concerns or religious objections.
Where does cell division occur in plants?
In regions called meristems.
What can cells of the meristem differentiate into and when?
All types of plant cells at any time during the life of the plant.
Where are the main meristems located?
Close to the tip of the shoot and the tip of the root.
What happens to cells as they move away from the tip of the shoot?
They become differentiated, enlarge, and develop vacuoles.
How can stem cells from meristems be used in agriculture?
To make clones of plants quickly and cheaply.
What benefits do cloning plants offer?
- Helps endangered species
- Makes crops resistant to diseases and pests
- Produces large numbers of genetically identical plants
