Unit 5 - Lesson 2: Exploration 3

How do organisms go from one cell to multiple types?

-Based on gravity

-Based on external factors

-Based on external factors

How did you go from one cell to present day?

-Cells divide and differentiate

-Still based on external factors

How do Stem Cells work?

-Each cell has all of the DNA, but not all genes are expressed

-When a stem cell is “waiting” to be used, it creates an identical copy of itself

-When a stem cell is differentiating, it creates 1 stem cell copy and 1 differentiated copy

1st kind of Stem Cell:

Embryonic (from an embryo)

-Can become any kind of cell

2nd kind of Stem Cell:

Adult (in an adult)

-Partially differentiated, so can become several types of different cells

1st way to use a Stem Cell:

Naturally

-The body will use them to repair damaged organs

2nd way to use a Stem Cell:

Synthetically

-Bone marrow stem cells produce red and white blood cells

-Pancreatic stem cells produce insulin

They can “run out”:

Overtime, aging cells accumulate damage which makes them less effective.