stem cells

What is a stem cell?

An undifferentiated cell that has the potential to differentiate into different types of cells

What are two key features of a stem cell?

Stem cells are able to divide by mitosis to form more cells

Stem cells are able to differentiate into specialised cells

Where are plant stem cells found?

In plant tissues sale meristems- found in areas of plants that are continuously growing as plant grows these unspecialised stem cells all differentiate into all cells and tissues that plants need

What is important about plant stem cells?

They persist for plants entire life

Unlike embryonic cells which disappear by the time we are fully developed

How are embryonic stem cells formed?

When stem cell fertilises an egg cell it forms a zygote during following few days it will divide by mitosis over and over again to form a group of cells called Ann embryo we call these cells embryonic stem cells( they can differentiate into any type of cell)

What happens to stem cells when an adult?

There are no longer stem cells that can differentiate into absolutely anything. Like embryonic cells can instead we have other types of stem cells that are already specialised meaning they can only differentiate into narrow range of cells

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