GCSE Biology - Stem Cells

what is a stem cell?

an undifferentiated cell capable of giving rise to many other cells of the same type as well as different types (through differentiation)

can embryonic stem cells turn into any type of cell?

yes

can adult stem cells turn into any type of cell?

no

where are stem cells in adults found?

bone marrow

what type of diseases can treatment with stem cells help?

paralysis and diabetes

how can stem cells cure diseases?

stem cells from a healthy person can replace faulty blood cells in the patient who recieves them

what is therapeutic cloning?

where an embryo could be made to have the same genetic material as the patient

give an advantage of therapeutic cloning

the cells will not be rejected by the patient's body

give one risk involved when using stem cells in medicine

contamination with a virus

give one reason why some people are against embryotic stem cell research

human embryos have the potential of human life

give one argument towards the use of embryos in stem cell research

the embryos are usually unwanted

what can stem cells from plants be used for? (2)

growing rare species to stop extinction

growing plants with desired features such as disease resistance

function of stem cells in embryos

they differentiate to form all specialised cells in your body

function of stem cells in adult animals

to replace cells, which cannot divide, when injured of affected by disease

function of stem cells in the meristems in plants

allow the plant to continue growing correctly throughout its life

where are stem cells located in plants?

meristem