Preventing, treating and curing diseases - AQA SynergyStem cells
Some diseases can be treated with antibiotics, but not all can be cured. Vaccinations allow protection against specific diseases, but the level of protection depends on the amount of people vaccinated.
Find out where stem cells come from and how they are used in humans and plants
Stem cells in humans
stem cellA cell found in foetuses, embryos and some adult tissues that can give rise to a wide range of other cells. are cells that have not undergone differentiationWhen an unspecialised cell becomes a more specialised cell type.. A cell which has not yet become specialisedA cell that has become differentiated to carry out a particular function, eg red blood cell. is called undifferentiated.
An embryoAn organism in the early stages of development. develops from a fertilised egg. Cells at the early stages in the development of the embryo are stem cells.
If cells are removed from the embryo - called embryonic stem cellA type of stem cell found in the embryo, capable of dividing into almost any cell type. - they will differentiate into any cell type.
Some stem cells remain in the bodies of adults - adult stem cellA type of stem cell found in specific locations in adults. Adult stem cells can only differentiate into a limited number of related cell types.. Adult stem cells are found in limited numbers at certain locations in the body.
Adult stem cells can be found in several regions of the body, including the:
brain
eyes
blood
heart
liver
bone marrow
skin
muscle
Adult stem cells can differentiate into related cell types only, for instance, bone marrowSoft tissue found inside bones that produces new blood cells. cells can differentiate into blood cells and cells of the immune systemThe body's defence system against entry of any foreign body, including pathogens and agents such as pollen grains. The role of the immune system is to prevent disease. but not other cell types.
Learn more about stem cells with Dr Alex Lathbridge.
