Stem CellsStem Cells Basic
This is a link to a website from the National Institute of Health. Stem Cell School This website is made more high school and undergraduate life science educators to help them teach about stem cells. It has many pictures and videos along with lessons and definitions of the many different terms that go along with stem cells. NPR Here is a conversation on NPR about the difference between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. They talk to stem cell researcher Cr. Zach Hall. |
Stem Cell Notes
stem_cells.docx | |
File Size: | 11 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Blackboard Questions
What is an induced pluripotent stem cell? How is the use of iPS helping scientists eliminate ethical concerns about the use of embryonic stem cells?
Induced pluripotent stem cells are normal adult stem cells that have been genetically changed to an embryonic stem cell condition. They are forced to show genes that are pivotal for preserve the identity of embryonic stem cells. By using induced pluripotent stem cells the scientists are able to “‘de-differentiate’ cells whose developmental fates had been previously assumed to be determined” (Stem Cell Infromation). Also the tissue made from these cells will be a match for the patient so this avoids rejection. Information from http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics6.asp
Stem cells are often rapidly dividing. Cancer cells are also cells that divide rapidly. How are these cells different from stem cells? If a cancer patient receives chemotherapy that targets rapidly dividing cells, how does this affect stem cells and the overall health of this person?
Ever stem cells can divide and make identical copies of themselves; this is called self-renewal. Stem cells have the ability to turn themselves off and on unlike in cancer cells. Cancer cells have a problem that allows them to divide uncontrollably. Chemotherapy is so specialized now that it only targets cells that are marked for the specific cancer gene and does not affect the other cells around the cancerous ones. Information from http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics6.asp and http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/what-is-cancer
What are the potential medical benefits of stem cell research? Give a few specific examples
A few potential medical benefits of stem cell research is that it has the possibility to help many people who are suffering with different diseases. Just to list a few: cancer patients, children with juvenile diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, and spinal cord injury patients. Many scientists believe that by researching stem cells they can find the answers to many fundamental questions and want to work together to form all the tissues and organs in the human body”. Also the scientist will be able to use stem cells to improve their testing of drugs for the safety and the efficiency. Information from http://www.lsi.umich.edu/facultyresearch/centers/stemcellbiology/researchqa#med