Stem cell basics
What makes stem cells different from regular body cells?
They can become many different types of cells and make copies of themselves
What is the goal of regenerative medicine?
To repair / replace damaged tissues and restore normal body function.
Why are embryonic cells considered controversial?
They come from the embryo, which some people believe shouldn't be used for research
Name one possible future use for stem cells in medicine
Repairing damaged tissues or growing replacement organs
What is the purpose of scaffolding?
Gives stem cells a shape to grow into tissues or organs
What does it mean when a stem cell can "self-renew"?
It means the stem cell can divide and make more identical stem cells
Name one example of a disease or an injury that could be be treated using stem cells
Burns, heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, spinal injuries.
What is one ethical question raised by using embryonic stem cells?
"When does life begin?" or "Is it right to use embryos for science?"
How could using a patient's own stem cells make treatment safer?
It reduces the risk of rejection by the immune system.
True or False? : A multipotent stem cell can develop into a limited range of cells related to their tissue type
True
What does it mean when a stem cell can "differentiate"?
It means the stem cell can develop into a specialized cell, like a nerve or a muscle cell.
How do bone marrow transplants use stem cells to treat leukemia?
Healthy stem cells from bone marrow make new blood cells to replaces diseased ones
How do adult or IPS cells (Induced pluripotent stem cells) help avoid ethical issues?
They don't require the use of embryos and come from a patient's own body cells
How might stem cell research help solve organ shortages?
Scientists could grow new organs in labs for transplants.
What structure supports the growth of new cells in a lab or body?
Scaffolds
Give an example of a specialized cell that a stem cell can become?
Blood cell, muscle cell, nerve cell, skin cell.
Describe how scientists can use stem cells to regrow new skin for burn victims
Stem Cells are placed on a scaffold or sheet to grow new skin tissue for grafting
Why might someone argue that embryonic stem cell researche is important despite the controversy?
It could lead to cures for serious disease and save lives
Describe a technique that could reduce ethical problems / concerns in stem cell research.
Reprogramming adult cells into iPS cells instead of using embryos
What is a pluripotent stem cell?
A stem cell that can develop into almost any cell type in the body.
Explain how scientists use stem cells to study disease or test medicines
They grow stem cells in the lab to model how diseases develop or test how drugs affect the human cells safely
Explain how regeneration medicine could help people with heart disease or paralysis in the future
By using stem cells to replace damaged heart or nerve cells and restore lost function
Discuss both sides of the ethical debate over when life begins in relation to stem cell research.
One side believes that life starts at fertilization, so embryos have rights. The other side believes research is justifies if it helps humanity
Predict one challenge scientists may face as stem cell therapies become more common.
Making sure treatments are safe, effective, affordable, and available to everyone.
Which type of stem cell can be created in a lab by reprogramming adult cells?
Induced ploripotent stem cells