Topic 1 Stem Cells % Flashcards
Where are embryonic stem cells found
Cells of early mammalian embryos
What can embryonic stem cells be differentiated into
Any type of cell (except placenta)
What is the use of embryonic stem cells
To repair/regenerate diseased tissue or organs
replace faulty cells in sick people
Insulin producing cells for people with diabetes
Nerve cells for People paralysed by spinal injuries
Where are bone marrow stem cells found
Very early cells made in bone marrow
What can bone marrow stem cells be differentiated into
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets
Use of bone marrow stem cells
To treat conditions where bone marrow is damaged and is no longer able to produce healthy blood cells
Where are plant stem cells found
Plant meristems
What can plant stem cells be differentiated into
Any type of cell
What can plant stem cells be used for
New cells to grow or replace specialised tissues
Produces clones of whole plants quickly and cheaply
Used to grow more plants of a rare species
Used to grow crops of identical plants that have design features for farmers for example if they are disease resistant
Advantage of using an embryonic stem cell
Can treat medical conditions and disease
Can become any cell
Disadvantage of using embryonic stem cells
Can be seen as unethical as it involves the destruction of human embryos
Advantage of using adult stem cells
Can treat various illnesses
Disadvantage of using adult stem cells
May not be able to be manipulated to produce all cell types
Which stem cells can be grown in the lab
Embryonic and bone marrow stem cells can be grown in a lab to produce clones and made differentiate into specialised cells for medicine or research
What is therapeutic cloning
An embryo Made to have the same genetic information as the patient The stem cells produce would Have the same genetic jeans and wouldn’t be rejected by the body
