Stem Cells Flashcards
All 15 cards in this deck
What is a stem cell?
An undifferentiated (unspecialised) cell that can divide and differentiate into other types of cell.
How do embryonic stem cells produce the cells of an embryo?
They divide by mitosis, then differentiate into specialised cells.
Where are adult stem cells found in humans, and what do they do?
In tissues such as bone marrow; they divide to replace damaged or worn-out cells.
True or false? Adult stem cells can differentiate into any type of cell.
False. Adult stem cells form only a limited range of cell types (e.g. bone marrow stem cells form blood cells); embryonic stem cells can form any cell type.
What is a meristem?
A plant tissue containing stem cells that divide to make new plant cells.
Where are meristems found in a plant?
At the tips of the roots and shoots.
What is the function of meristem cells in a plant?
They divide by mitosis and differentiate into any type of plant cell, so the plant can grow.
True or false? A plant can produce new stem cells in its meristems throughout its life.
True. Meristems keep dividing, so plants can grow and make new cells for as long as they live.
Give two benefits of treating a patient with stem cells made from the patient's own skin cells.
Embryos or a donor are not needed, and the cells match the patient's tissue type so there is less chance of rejection.
Give two risks of stem cell therapy.
The new cells may not function correctly; the stem cells may continue to divide (cell division could develop into cancer). Also possible: side effects or rejection of the cells.
Which type of cell would stem cells be made to differentiate into in order to treat type 1 diabetes?
Insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, replacing the patient's faulty cells.
Which type of cell would stem cells be made to differentiate into to treat paralysis caused by a damaged spinal cord?
Nerve cells, to replace the damaged nerve cells in the spinal cord.
How could stem cell therapy spread a disease to a patient?
Donor stem cells could carry a virus that goes undetected, and the patient who receives them would then be infected.
Give one ethical objection to using embryonic stem cells in research.
The embryo is destroyed, and some people believe each embryo is a potential human life.
How can adult stem cells be used to cure sickle cell anaemia?
By a bone marrow transplant: the donor's adult stem cells make new, healthy blood cells.