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Stem cells
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Stem cells can turn into other types of cell. That makes them exciting for medicine, but also brings risks.
What stem cells are
A stem cell is an unspecialised cell that can divide and differentiate into specialised cells.
Embryonic stem cells can become almost any type of cell.
Adult stem cells, such as those in bone marrow, can only become a few types.
Embryonic stem cells can become almost any type of cell.
Adult stem cells, such as those in bone marrow, can only become a few types.
Stem cells in plants
Plants have meristems at the tips of roots and shoots.
Meristem cells keep dividing and can differentiate into any type of plant cell throughout the plant's life.
Meristem cells keep dividing and can differentiate into any type of plant cell throughout the plant's life.
Benefits and risks
Benefits: they could replace damaged cells, for example in some types of paralysis or diabetes.
Risks: cells could be rejected by the immune system, could divide uncontrollably and form tumours, and using embryos raises ethical concerns.
Risks: cells could be rejected by the immune system, could divide uncontrollably and form tumours, and using embryos raises ethical concerns.
Why might doctors prefer embryonic stem cells to adult stem cells for some treatments?
- Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into almost any cell type.
- Adult stem cells can only form a limited range of cells.
- So embryonic stem cells could treat a wider range of conditions.
Answer: They can become more types of cell.
Stem cells are unspecialised and can differentiate. Embryonic stem cells can become almost any cell, adult stem cells only a few. Plant meristems keep this ability for life.
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