STEM CELLS.
BIOLOGY.
¡ Stem cells are cells that do not yet have a
specific role and can become almost any
cell that is required. They can also
regenerate damaged tissue under the
right conditions. Under the right conditions
in the body or a laboratory, stem cells
WHAT ARE divide to form more cells called daughter
cells.
STEM CELLS? ¡ These daughter cells become either new
stem cells or specialized cells
(differentiation) with a more specific
function, such as blood cells, brain cells,
heart muscle cells or bone cells. No other
cell in the body has the natural ability to
generate new cell types.
Stem cells are unspecialised cells
that have two key qualities:
QUALITIES OF • 1. Self Renewal – They can
STEM CELLS. continuously divide and replicate
• 2. Potency – They have the capacity to
differentiate into specialised cell types
Embryonic stem cells. These stem cells come from embryos
that are 3 to 5 days old. At this stage, an embryo is called a
blastocyst and has about 150 cells.
Adult stem cells. These stem cells are found in small numbers
WHERE DO in most adult tissues, such as bone marrow or fat. Compared
STEM CELLS with embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells have a more limited
COME FROM? ability to give rise to various cells of the body.
Fetal stem cells. Researchers have discovered stem cells in
amniotic fluid as well as umbilical cord blood. These stem cells
have the ability to change into specialized cells.
TYPES OF STEM CELLS.
There are four main types of stem cells present at various stages of human
Types development:
Totipotent – Can form any cell type, as well as extra-embryonic (placental) tissue
of (e.g. zygote)
Pluripotent – Can form any cell type (e.g. embryonic stem cells)
Stem Multipotent – Can differentiate into a number of closely related cell types
(e.g. haematopoeitic adult stem cells)
Cells Oligopotent - Can differentiate into a number of closely related cell types but give
fewer cell types as compared to Multipotent
Unipotent – Can not differentiate, but are capable of self renewal (e.g. progenitor
cells, muscle stem cells)
USES OF STEM CELLS.
Stem cells are necessary for embryonic development as they are an
undifferentiated cell source from which all other cell types may be derived
Cell types that are not capable of self-renewal (e.g. amitotic nerve tissues) are
considered to be non-stem cells
As these tissues cannot be regenerated or replaced, stem cells have become
a viable therapeutic option when these tissues become damaged
¡ In stem cell transplants, stem cells replace
cells damaged by chemotherapy or
disease or serve as a way for the donor's
immune system to fight some types of
cancer and blood-related diseases, such
STEM CELL as leukemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma
and multiple myeloma. This takes place
THERAPY after the stem cells differentiate into the
required cells.
¡ Differentiation- Unspecialised cells develop
into cells with more distinct structure and
function (Stem Cell Potency)
TREATMENT OF STARGARDT’S DISEASE.
Read about how stem cells are used to treat Stargardt’s disease in detail from the link below:
[Link]
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TREATMENT OF LEUKAEMIA.
Read about how stem cells are used to treat Lukaemia in detail from the link below:
[Link]
vhtjYwp8scLDws/edit#slide=id.g3b10ab9c3d_0_75
OTHER SICKNESSES
WHERE STEM CELL
THERAPY IS USED.
1)Muscular dystrophy:
¡ This is a disease that is caused
by a mutation in the genes.
This disease is inherited.
¡ The symptoms are muscle
stiffness, muscle atrophy, and
lack of muscle activity.
¡ The stem cells can differentiate
into myogenic cells and can
regenerate the neuromuscular
system in the body and help
cure the symptoms.
STEM CELL THERAPY.
2) Spinal cord injury:
¡ This condition can be caused by injury in the spinal cord due to
accidents, or trauma from any other sources. It can be of 2
types: partial and complete.
¡ Stems cells from bone marrow or embryonic stem cells can be
injected into the cerebrospinal fluid to help in the development
of a damaged spinal cord.
STEM CELL THERAPY.
3) Diabetes:
¡ This is a disorder that is caused due to lack of insulin production
from the pancreas.
¡ The insulin-producing cells can be regenerated from stem cells..
Therefore stem cells have the ability to differentiate into multiple
cell types.
STEM CELL THERAPY.
4) Cerebral palsy:
¡ Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder caused by brain injury.
It leads to various symptoms like developmental delays, delays in
speech learning, delay in communication, muscular weakness,
and neuromuscular problems.
¡ Stem cells can differentiate into neurons and can help in
rebuilding the neurological circuits in the brain. It can thus help
in reducing the symptoms of cerebral palsy.
CONCLUSION
¡ Watch the following videos to get complete understanding of stem
cells and the ethical issues surrounding stem cells:
¡ [Link]
¡ [Link]
¡ [Link]
THE END….
