Difference between revisions of "Stem cells"
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There is a gradient that corresponds to how well a particular stem cell can differentiate. | There is a gradient that corresponds to how well a particular stem cell can differentiate. | ||
| − | The two most common types, adult and embryonic are multipotent and pluripotent respectively. Multipotent means that a stem cell can differentiate into similar types of cells, for instance blood cells only. Pluripotent means that they can turn into any of the 3 germ layer types.<ref>http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/stemcells/sctypes/</ref> | + | The two most common types, adult and embryonic, are multipotent and pluripotent respectively. Multipotent means that a stem cell can differentiate into similar types of cells, for instance blood cells only. Pluripotent means that they can turn into any of the 3 germ layer types.<ref>http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/stemcells/sctypes/</ref> |
| − | Even though embryonic stem cells can differentiate into more cell types than adult, they require the destruction of an embryo | + | Even though embryonic stem cells can differentiate into more cell types than can adult stem cells, they require the destruction of an embryo which is akin to [[abortion]].<ref>http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU09C06&f=PG07J01</ref> That being said there is some research that shows that embryonic stem cells might be obtainable without destruction of the embryo, though this research is not definite yet.<ref>http://www.cmda.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Stem_Cell_Research&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=12577</ref> |
There are five categories of stem cells that correspond to their origin in the body: | There are five categories of stem cells that correspond to their origin in the body: | ||
Revision as of 04:25, December 19, 2009
Stem cells are one of several varieties of cell that have the ability to renew themselves through division, and differentiate themselves into specialized cell types.
There is a gradient that corresponds to how well a particular stem cell can differentiate.
The two most common types, adult and embryonic, are multipotent and pluripotent respectively. Multipotent means that a stem cell can differentiate into similar types of cells, for instance blood cells only. Pluripotent means that they can turn into any of the 3 germ layer types.[1]
Even though embryonic stem cells can differentiate into more cell types than can adult stem cells, they require the destruction of an embryo which is akin to abortion.[2] That being said there is some research that shows that embryonic stem cells might be obtainable without destruction of the embryo, though this research is not definite yet.[3]
There are five categories of stem cells that correspond to their origin in the body:
- adult stem cells
- amniotic stem cells
- cord blood stem cells
- embryonic stem cells
- induced pluripotent stem cells