Stem Cells and Cellular Differentiation
All multicellular organisms begin as a ______(fertilized egg). This one cell will undergo cell division to create an individual with hundreds or trillions of cells!
Q: Are all cells in our bodies the same? ______
______is the process whereby a cell changes its shape, contents and function. The cell becomes specialized or differentiated. Every single cell in our body has the same DNA, but parts of DNA can be turned on and off like light switches. The different switches that are turned on or off, determine the cell’s function.
All “DNA switches” are turned ______. Stems cells can differentiate into: ______, ______, and ______cells. There are two types of stem cells: ______and ______. Embryonic stem cells are ______which means they can differentiate into ______kind of cell.
On the other hand, tissue stem cells are ______and can only differentiate into ______types of cells. For example, bone marrow tissue stem cells can only differentiate into ______, ______, or ______.
Q: What is the significance of being able to harvest stem cells that can specialize into any type of cell?
STEM CELLS AND CORD CELL BANKING
Blood found in the ______contains a rich supply of stem cells. These cells are ______. Parents will often ______their newborn’s umbilical blood. Current uses include treatment for childhood ______.
Refer to page 79 to answer the questions below:
Q: What is leukemia? ______
Q: How is leukemia treated? ______
______
Unlocking Stem Cell Potential (visit the site:
Q:What is regeneration? ______
Q:Explain how regeneration is limited in humans. ______
______
Q:How are stem cells similar to cancerous cells? ______
______
The Stem Cell Debate: Is It Over? (visit the site:
Q: What is the significance of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells? ______
______
Q: What are some of the ethical issues associated with stem cell research?
Q: What are some of the legal issues associated with stem cell research?
Q: What do you think some of the social issues associated with stem cell research are?
Stem Cells and Cellular Differentiation
All multicellular organisms begin as a zygote (fertilized egg). This one cell will undergo cell division to create an individual with hundreds or trillions of cells!
Q: Are all cells in our bodies the same? No!
Cellular differentiation is the process whereby a cell changes its shape, contents and function. The cell becomes specialized or differentiated. Every single cell in our body has the same DNA, but parts of DNA can be turned on and off like light switches. Thedifferent switches that are turned on or off, determine the cell’s function.
All “DNA switches” are off.
Stems cells can differentiate into: blood, skin, and nervecells.
There are two types of stem cells: embryonicand tissue stem/adult.
Embryonic stem cells are totipotent, which means they can differentiate into anykind of cell.
On the other hand, tissue stem cells are multipotentand can only differentiate into limitedtypes of cells. For example, bone marrow tissue stem cells can only differentiate into red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.
STEM CELLS AND CORD CELL BANKING
Blood found in the umbilical cord contains a rich supply of stem cells, similar to tissue cells. These cells are multipotent. Parents will often “bank”/storetheir newborn’s umbilical blood. Current uses include treatment for childhood leukemia.