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Cellular differentiation is the process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type.
True
Embryonic stem cells are the only source of stem cells.
False
Morphogenesis controls the organized spatial distribution of cells during development.
True
The inner cell mass (ICM) is not involved in the formation of the embryo.
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Differential gene expression is responsible for cellular differentiation.
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A stem cell can only give rise to one specific cell type.
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The blastocyst stage comes after the morula stage in human development.
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Stem cells have unique properties that differentiate them from other cell types.
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All cells from one individual express the same genes.
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Stem cells can self-renew and give rise to specialized cells.
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Adult stem cells do not play a role in normal cell turnover.
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The microenvironment around stem cells is called a niche.
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Differentiated cells can divide to make copies of themselves.
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Embryonic stem cells are found only in adult organisms.
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Different cell types follow different differentiation programs.
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Stem cells are always differentiated cells.
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Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are created through genetic reprogramming.
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Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into muscle cells.
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Shinya Yamanaka and John Gurdon won the Nobel Prize in 2012 for their work on iPS cells.
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Therapeutic cloning is the same as molecular cloning.
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IPS cells behave like embryonic stem cells.
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Cloning can produce genetically identical copies of biological entities.
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Adult skin cells cannot be converted into iPS cells.
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There are only two types of cloning techniques.
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Embryonic stem cells are derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst.
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Tissue stem cells have no ethical concerns associated with their use.
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Induced pluripotent stem cells require introduction of specific transcription factors for their generation.
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Pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into a limited number of cell types compared to multipotent stem cells.
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The destruction of embryos is required in the use of embryonic stem cells.
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Reproductive cloning involves the use of an egg cell that has its nucleus removed.
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Therapeutic cloning aims to create cloned embryos for purposes other than cell research.
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Stem cells have potential applications in regenerative medicine for diseases like diabetes.
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All countries have strict regulations limiting stem cell research.
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Bone marrow transplants are examples of therapeutic use of stem cells.
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Somatic-Cell Transfer (SCT) is a method for creating a cloned embryo.
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It is legal to create embryos specifically for research in every country.
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Ethical concerns surround the procurement of eggs for SCT in human cells.
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Stem cells can differentiate into specialized cells during development.
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All stem cells undergo the same differentiation programs regardless of their type.
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The microenvironment around stem cells is referred to as a niche.
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Stem cells maintain their identical properties through differentiation.
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Adult stem cells are used primarily for tissue repair in adults.
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Self-renewal refers to the ability of stem cells to only give rise to themselves without differentiation.
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Embryonic stem cells originate from mature tissues.
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Totipotent stem cells can differentiate into all cell types as well as extraembryonic tissues such as the placenta.
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Multipotent stem cells can generate any type of specialized cell in the body.
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Differentiation is the process by which stem cells stop dividing.
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Embryonic stem cells are derived from the outer layer of a blastocyst.
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Adult stem cells are always pluripotent.
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Induced pluripotent stem cells are capable of unlimited self-renewal.
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Tissue stem cells can only produce one specific type of specialized cell.
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Pluripotent stem cells cannot contribute to the formation of the placenta.
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Embryonic stem cells can be cultured in the lab from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst.
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Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) can behave like adult skin cells.
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Reproductive cloning results in live birth cloning.
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Therapeutic cloning and molecular cloning are identical processes.
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Cloning can produce genetically diverse organisms.
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Transcription factors like Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc are essential for creating iPS cells.
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Induced pluripotent stem cells require embryonic cells for their generation.
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Mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to differentiate into all cell types.
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All somatic cells can be reprogrammed into iPS cells.
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Tissue stem cells can create any type of cell regardless of their origin.
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Haematopoietic stem cells are multipotent and found in the bone marrow.
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Tissue stem cells typically divide frequently to maintain tissue homeostasis.
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Transient amplifying cells have the ability to self-renew.
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Differentiation in tissue stem cells results in specialized cells that no longer have the ability to divide.
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Tissue stem cells are often referred to as progenitor cells due to their specialized differentiation capabilities.
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Multipotent stem cells can differentiate into a wide variety of cell types across different tissues.
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Blood stem cells are a type of tissue stem cell that can produce all types of blood cells.
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Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are identical to embryonic stem cells (hES cells) in their properties.
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Tissue stem cells are known for their ability to differentiate into every cell type in the human body.
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The key properties of stem cells include self-renewal and differentiation.
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Therapeutic cloning and reproductive cloning are different processes.
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Cells continue to differentiate even after they have reached their specialized function.
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Somatic-Cell Transfer (SCT) can only produce cloned embryos for reproductive purposes.
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Obtaining human eggs for SCT raises ethical concerns.
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Regulations governing stem cell research are uniform across all European countries.
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The process by which a specialized cell type returns to a less specialized state is called cellular differentiation.
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Stem cells lose their capacity for self-renewal after differentiating into a specialized cell type.
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All cells in a human organism contain identical DNA sequences but can express different genes for specialization.
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The term 'morphogenesis' refers to the process of cell division and not the spatial organization of cells.
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Induced pluripotent stem cells can derive from fully differentiated adult cells without any external manipulation.
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Embryonic stem cells have the unique ability to differentiate into any type of specialized cell in the body.
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Therapeutic cloning is focused on producing organisms that are genetically identical to another organism.
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All types of stem cells have the same potential for differentiation regardless of their origin.
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Pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into any type of specialized cell in the body along with extraembryonic tissues.
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Totipotent stem cells have the ability to differentiate into multiple types of specialized cells only within specific tissues.
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Embryonic stem cells are obtained from the outer layer of the blastocyst known as the trophectoderm.
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Multipotent stem cells can generate various types of specialized cells but not all types.
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Induced pluripotent stem cells are generated from adult somatic cells through a process that does not require genetic manipulation.
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The inner cell mass (ICM) plays a crucial role in the formation of extraembryonic tissues in the embryo.
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Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells share the same characteristics concerning their differentiation capabilities.
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Tissue stem cells are considered totipotent and can develop into any cell type.
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Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes.
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The introduction of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc is vital for the differentiation of adult cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
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Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) behave like totipotent stem cells.
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Reproductive cloning can result in the live birth of genetically identical organisms.
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The primary goal of therapeutic cloning is to produce new organisms for research.
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Stem cells derived from bone marrow are often used in regenerative medicine.
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Molecular cloning is primarily focused on creating whole organisms.
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All stem cells have identical properties during their differentiation processes.
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Reproductive cloning requires the transfer of nuclear material from an adult cell into an enucleated oocyte.
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Therapeutic cloning is primarily used to create cloned embryos for the purpose of generating stem cells.
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Somatic-Cell Transfer (SCT) does not have any ethical concerns associated with its practice.
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Legislation on the use of embryonic stem cells is uniform across all countries worldwide.
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Dolly the sheep was the first successful clone produced from embryonic stem cells.
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Drug testing and screening can be performed using stem cells that are directed to produce specific cell types in the lab.
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General therapeutic applications of stem cells include the treatment of diseases such as heart disease and spinal cord injury.
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The creation of embryos for research is prohibited in many countries around the world.
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Embryonic stem cells require the destruction of an embryo for their use.
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Induced pluripotent stem cells are known to require at least five transcription factors for their generation.
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All stem cells are guaranteed to have no ethical concerns associated with their use.
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Multipotent stem cells can differentiate into a wider range of cell types than pluripotent stem cells.
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Long-term effects of induced pluripotent stem cells are well understood and pose no risks.
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Study Notes
Cellular Differentiation
- Cells from a single fertilized egg cell contain the same DNA but differentiate into different cell types
- Cellular differentiation is controlled by differential gene expression: different genes are expressed depending on the cell type
- Different cell types follow different differentiation programmes
- Differentiation processes are also common in adults, where adult stem cells create fully differentiated daughter cells during tissue repair and cell turnover
Stem Cells
- Stem cells are unspecialized cells that divide and give rise to specialized cells
- Stem cells possess two unique properties: self-renewal and differentiation
- Stem cells can self-renew, creating identical stem cells, and differentiate, creating specialized cells
- Stem cells are essential for maintaining the pool of stem cells throughout life
- Stem cell niches are microenvironments that provide support and signals, regulating self-renewal and differentiation
Types of Stem Cells
- Stem cells are found at different stages of development: embryonic, tissue, and induced pluripotent (iPS) stem cells
- Embryonic stem cells: sourced from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst
- Tissue stem cells: found in the fetus, baby, and throughout life; responsible for tissue repair and renewal
- Induced pluripotent (iPS) stem cells: created by reprogramming adult cells through the introduction of specific genes like Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS Cells)
- iPS cells are created through genetic reprogramming, which involves adding certain genes to adult cells
- iPS cells behave like embryonic stem cells, meaning they can differentiate into all possible cell types
- iPS cells offer an advantage over embryonic stem cells: they don't require the use of embryos
- iPS cells are genetically matched to the individual, minimizing the risk of rejection
Cloning
- Cloning involves the production of genetically identical copies of a biological entity
- There are three distinct types of cloning: reproductive, therapeutic, and molecular cloning
- Reproductive cloning: creates a live birth clone, resulting in two identical individuals
- Therapeutic cloning: used to create patient-specific cell lines for medical applications, with the goal of producing cells that are not rejected by the patient's immune system
- Molecular cloning: used to produce copies of genes for research purposes
Reproductive Cloning
- Reproductive cloning involves taking the nucleus from an adult cell and inserting it into an enucleated egg
- The resulting embryo is genetically identical to the individual that donated the nucleus
Therapeutic Cloning
- Therapeutic cloning involves transferring nuclear material from a somatic cell into an enucleated oocyte
- The goal is to derive embryonic cell lines with the same genome as the nuclear donor
- Therapeutic cloning has potential applications in medicine, as it creates cells that are immunologically compatible with the patient, reducing the risk of rejection
Applications of Stem Cells
- Stem cells have the potential to revolutionize medicine through regenerative medicine, drug testing and screening, and disease modelling
- Regenerative medicine: uses stem cells to replace damaged or lost cells, potentially treating diseases like Parkinson's, heart disease, diabetes, and spinal cord injury
- Drug testing and screening: stem cells can be used to create large numbers of identical cells, facilitating drug testing and screening
- Disease modelling: stem cells can be used to model diseases, allowing researchers to study disease processes in detail
Regulation of Stem Cell Research
- The use of embryonic stem cells is subject to regulation and ethical scrutiny
- In many countries, creating new cell lines using spare embryos from fertility clinics is permitted with donor consent
- The creation of embryos solely for research purposes is often prohibited
Knowledge Check
- Three Types of Stem Cells: Embryonic, Tissue, Induced pluripotent (iPS)
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Sources of Stem Cells:
- Embryonic stem cells: inner cell mass of a blastocyst
- Tissue stem cells: fetus, baby, and throughout life
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS): genetic reprogramming
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Potency of Stem Cells:
- Embryonic: Pluripotent
- Tissue: Multipotent
- Induced pluripotent: Pluripotent
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Ethical Concerns and Limitations:
- Embryonic: Destruction of the embryo
- Tissue: Difficult to isolate and maintain
- Induced pluripotent: Long term effects unknown
Stem Cells
- Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with two main properties: self-renewal and differentiation.
- Stem cells are found in various locations including the blastocyst (embryonic stem cells) and tissues throughout the body (tissue stem cells).
- Stem cell niches provide essential support and signals for stem cell self-renewal and differentiation.
Stem Cell Types
- Embryonic stem cells (ES cells): derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, pluripotent, and capable of differentiating into all cell types.
- Tissue stem cells: found in various adult tissues, multipotent, and specialize into specific cell types within their respective tissues.
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells): adult cells reprogrammed to behave like embryonic stem cells through genetic modification, offering an alternative to embryonic stem cells.
Potency
- Totipotent: can generate all cell types including the extraembryonic tissues (e.g., placenta).
- Pluripotent: can generate all cell types in the body, but not extraembryonic tissues.
- Multipotent: can generate a limited number of cell types within a specific lineage.
Stem Cell Research
- Concerns about stem cell research involve ethical considerations surrounding human embryo use and the potential for cloning.
- Ongoing debates focus on the legal and ethical implications of iPS cells, especially regarding their potential to develop into human embryos.
- Therapeutic cloning uses stem cells for treatment purposes, while reproductive cloning aims to create a genetically identical individual.
Cellular Differentiation
- Complex organisms require many different cell types to form structures and carry out specific functions.
- All cells arise from a single fertilized egg cell and all contain the same DNA in their nuclei, this is how these cells differentiate.
- Cellular differentiation is controlled by differential gene expression meaning cells become different because they express different genes.
Stem Cell Terms
- Potency: A measure of how many types of specialized cells a stem cell can make.
- Multipotent: A stem cell that can make multiple types of specialized cells but not all types.
- Tissue stem cells: These are multipotent.
- Pluripotent: A stem cell that can make all types of specialized cells in the body, but not all types of cells that are needed during development.
- Embryonic stem cells from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst are pluripotent.
- Totipotent: A stem cell that can make all types of cells in the body plus cells that are needed during development.
Types of Stem Cells
- Embryonic stem cells: Found in the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. These cells are pluripotent and can generate all cell types in the body.
- Tissue stem cells: Found in specific tissues and organs. These cells are multipotent and can generate a limited range of cell types within that tissue.
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells): Derived from adult cells and are often reprogrammed using genetic engineering.
- iPS cells can be differentiated into a wide variety of cell types.
- iPS cells can be used for research and therapeutic purposes, including for developing new cell-based therapies for diseases such as Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, and diabetes.
Applications of Stem Cells
- Regenerative Medicine: This process has the potential to treat diseases by replacing cells that are irreversibly lost, and for which there are currently no therapies.
- Bone marrow transplants and skin grafting are established examples of the therapeutic use of stem cells.
- Drug testing and screening: Stem cells can be used to produce large amounts of identical cells which can be used for drug testing.
- Study disease processes: Stem cells can be used to model diseases and study their progression.
Ethical Issues
- Embryonic stem cell research can be controversial because it involves the destruction of embryos. However, research can be conducted using embryos that are leftover from fertility treatments with donor consent.
- Therapeutic cloning presents ethical concerns because it requires using donated eggs.
- The long-term effects of iPS cell therapy are still unknown.
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Description
Explore the fascinating processes of cellular differentiation and the role of stem cells in biological systems. This quiz covers topics such as gene expression, differentiation programs, and the unique properties of stem cells. Test your knowledge on how these processes contribute to tissue repair and development.
