Define the term stem cell.
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Define the term stem cell.
A stem cell is an undifferentiated cell that can divide an unlimited number of times. Stem cells can give rise to more stem cells, as well as differentiating into other cell types.
What is the function of stem cells in animals?
The function of stem cells in animals is to:
enable embryos to form all of the tissues and organs needed during development
replace dead and damaged cells in adult organisms
True or False?
Embryonic stem cells can differentiate to produce most cell types.
True.
Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into most, or in some cases all, cell types. This enables them to form the tissues and organs needed during development.
Define the term meristem tissue.
Meristem tissue is a type of plant tissue that contains stem cells. Cell division in meristems leads to plant growth, e.g. root and shoot tips contain meristem tissue.
How can stem cells be used to treat diseases such as diabetes?
Stem cells could potentially treat diseases such as diabetes by replacing damaged/unhealthy cells with healthy stem cells, which can continually divide to form more healthy cells.
True or False?
There is risk of infection when transferring lab-cultured stem cells into a patient.
True.
Stem cells cultured in a lab can become infected. Infection can then be passed to patients during therapy.
What is the potential benefit of being able to use a patient's own stem cells in medical treatment?
A potential benefit of being able to use a patient's own stem cells in medical treatment is that stem cells from the same patient would not be rejected by the patient's immune system.
Why might mutations in stem cells pose a risk to patients?
Mutations in stem cells increase the likelihood that stem cells will divide uncontrollably, potentially causing cancer in a patient.
True or False?
There are ethical issues associated with the use of embryonic stem cells in medicine.
True.
Many have ethical concerns around the use of embryonic stem cells in medicine. These concerns are related to whether or not embryos should have human rights. Concerns include:
destruction of embryos
embryos cannot give consent
embryos are treated as a commodity