B2 Mitosis and stem cells

what is a stem cell?

Is an undifferentiated cell which can differentiate to form many different types of cell

what is the function of stem cells in embryos

Embryonic stem cells are responsible for differentiating to form the specialised cells that are essential for development and survival for the developing baby

where in the adult would you find stem cells

Bone marrow

where in the plant would you find stem cells in a plant

meristems

what can plant stem cells be used for?

-They can be used to produce clones of plants quickly and economically

->rare species can be cloned to protect them for extinction

-Crops with special features such as disease resistance -> can be cloned to increase the yield

what can stem cells be used for?

they can be cloned and made to differentiate into many types of human cell. These can be used to treat diseases or grow new organs

Why is mitosis important?

Cell division by mitosis is important in the growth of and development of multicellular organisms

what is the function of stem cells in embryos?

stem cells from human embryos can be cloned and made to differentiate into most different types of human cells.

what is the function of stem cells in an adult?

Stem cells from an adult bone marrow can form into many types of cells including blood cells.

what is the function of stem cells in the meristems in plants?

Meristems tissue in plants can differentiate into any type of plant cell, throughout the life of the plant.

what can stem cells treat?

-maybe be able to help with conditions such as diabetes and paralysis

-treats diseases or grow a new organ

what is therapeutic cloning?

-the nucleus from the patient's stem cell is put into an empty egg cell

-this divides to from an embryo

-these stem cells can be stimulated to differentiate into any type of cell

how is therapeutic cloning different to other stem cell technologies?

-stem cells from the embryos produces with the same genes as the patient.

-> so they are not rejected by the patient's body so they can be used for medical treatment

evaluate the use of embryonic stem cells

Advantages

-embryonic stem cells have the ability to differentiate into many different forms of cell

-no surgery is necessary

Disadvantages

-embryos have the ability to become a life and cannot give consent to being used

-if the cells come from unrelated patients there is a risk of rejection

evaluate the use of adult stem cells

Advantages

-adults can give consent for their stem cells to be used

Disadvantages

-they can only differentiate into some types of cells

-surgery to extract stem cells from bone marrow is painful

-chance of passing on viruses

-chance of body rejecting cells

evaluate the use of therapeutic cloning in medical treatment

advantages

-treat current and future diseases

-cells differentiate into many types so any cells/tissues can be produced

-cells produced and be used for research

-reduce waiting time for organ transplants

disadvantages

-potential life is destroyed

-may transfer viral infection

-egg donations has risks

-unknown side effects of the procedure on the patient