Stem cells- An introduction

stem cells

Stem cells are the type of cells that have the ability to continuously divide and differentiate into various types of cells

stem cells

While most blood reside in the bone marrow, a small number are present in the bloodstream.

kinds of stem cells

Totipotent, Pluripotent, Multipotent

inner cell mass

The divides to form the mesoderm, endoderm, and ectoderm, and eventually the rest of the cells that constitute our body.

embryonic stem cells

Totipotent cell from the outer layer of an embryo, called the trophectoderm. The inner mass is pluripotent

They are called multipotent

peripheral blood stem cells and are used to treat leukaemia and other blood disorders

Question to ponder

What could the source of stem cells for medical therapies be

adult stem cells

undifferentiated cells found among specialised or different cells in a tissue or organ. They have a more restricted ability to produce different cell types and to self renew

Properties of stem cells

Unspecialised cells, rapid proliferation, differentiation, plasticity, and the ability to repair, restore and regenerate