Y9 Biology - stem cells

Stem Cells(undifferentiated…mitosis…specialised cells)

Undifferentiated cells that can divide by mitosis and differentiate into specialised cells

Somatic cell division

Can divide as it has all the DNA, no stem cells needed

Embryonic Stem Cells(pluripotent…embryos…specialised cell type)

Pluripotent cells from early embryos that can become any specialised cell type

Adult Stem Cells (multi potent…tissues like … that can form …range of cells)

Multipotent cells found in tissues like bone marrow that can form a limited range of cells

Bone Marrow Stem Cells(adult…differentiate…sich as .., …, and …)

Adult stem cells that can differentiate into blood cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

Plant Meristem Cells

Stem cells in shoot and root tips that allow continuous growth and can form any plant tissue

Stem Cell Role in Animals

Replace damaged cells, repair tissues, and maintain organ function

Stem Cell Role in Plants

Enable cloning, tissue culture, and regeneration of whole plants

Medical benefit (replace

Stem cells can replace faulty or damaged cells to treat diseases like diabetes, paralysis, and blood disorders

Regenerative Medicine

Using stem cells to grow new tissues or repair damaged organs

Virus Transmission Risk

Stem cells may carry viruses that could infect the patient

Tumour Risk

Stem cells may divide uncontrollably after transplant and form tumours

Rejection Risk

Embryonic stem cells may be recognised as foreign and attacked by the patient’s immune system

Ethical Issue

Using embryonic stem cells may destroy an embryo that some consider a potential human life

iPSC Ethical Advantage

Induced pluripotent stem cells avoid embryo use by reprogramming adult cells

Adult Stem Cell Limitation

Can only form certain cell types, so cannot treat all conditions

Embryonic Stem Cell Advantage

Can form any cell type, making them more versatile for medical treatment

Differences between therapeutic and donor embryonic stem cells

Additional risk of rejection avoided(genetically identical), additional making process