STEM CELLS

STEM CELLS

a stem cell is an undifferentated cell which can undergo division to produce many more similar cells, of which some will differentiate to have different functions

TYPES OF STEM CELLS

1. Embroyic stem cells

- form when an egg and sperm fuse to form an zygote

- they can differentiate into any cell in the body

- scientists can clone these cells (through culturing them) and direct them to differentiate into almost any cell in the body

- these could potentially be used to replace insulin-producing cells in those suffering from diabetes, new neural cells for diseases such as Alzheimer's or nerve cells for those with paraylsed with spinal cord injuries

2. adult stem cells

- if found in bone marrow they can form into many types of cells including blood cells

3. Meristems in plants

- found in root and shoot tips

- they can differentiate into any type of plant and…