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Summary OCR A/AS-Level Biology 2.6.8 Stem Cells
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Stem CellsWhat are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are simply differentiated cells, meaning they have not matured and are
without specialised functions
Stem Cell Potency
Potency is the varying ability of stem cells to differentiate into specialised cells
Totipotent – can differentiate into all types of body and extraembryonic (placental) cells
Pluripotent – cab differentiate into all types of body not extraembryonic (placental) cells
Multipotent – can differentiate into various cell types within a related family of cells
Differentiation
Differentiation benefits multicellular organisms
They can live after individual cells die
Specialised cells carry out specific functions better than unspecialised cells
Sources of Stem Cells
In animals:
o Embryonic stem cells – totipotent or pluripotent – extracted from embryos
o Placental stem cells – totipotent– extracted from placenta
o Adult stem cells – multipotent – extracted from adult bone marrow
In plants:
o Meristematic tissue - pluripotent
Uses of Stem Cells
Potential to cure many illnesses such as: type 1 diabetes; Parkinson’s disease;
Alzheimer’s disease; cancer; heart disease; spine diseases; leukaemia; arthritis; anaemia
Stem Cell Ethics
Embryos can be considered alive humans and are killed in the process
Extraction of embryonic stem cells pose a risk to female donors
Placental stem cells are not enough to treat adults and cannot be renewed
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