Stem cells

By: Kalaya Mule

Mod 4

2/12/17

What are stem cells? Stem cells are cells that are able to divide and renew

themselves with something called cell division. Cell division is when a cell divides into
two daughter cells with the same genetics. Embryonic stem cells can produce rapidly for

a year or more while sitting in a lab but adult stem cells do not. Growing cells in a lab is

called cell culture. Its when they transfer preimplantation cells into a plastic dish, that

contains a nutrient that is called culture medium. It causes the cells to divide and spread

onto the plastic dish. Usually there is a coating of mouse cells that at the bottom that are

called feeder cells. They have a sticky substance that helps the stem cells attach.

What are adult stem cells? Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells, found in

tissue or organs.Their main role is to repair tissue that they are found in. They have been

found in the brain, skin, teeth, heart, gut, liver, ovarian and testis. Some researchers found

that some types of stem cells might be pericytes. Typically there are very small amounts

of stem cells found in tissue and how many times they divide is limited. Scientist are

looking to grow adult stem cells in large quantities to help heal people when they get

injured.

Embryonic stem cells on the other hand are easy to grow. Adult stem cells are rare

and hard to isolate and are hard to be found in adult tissue. A induced pluripotent stem

cell is a adult stem cell turns into an embryonic stem like state. Induced pluripotent stem

cells are already used to help create drugs and modeling of diseases. When they test

putting stem cells into an animal during animal testing, the virus that is put into the

animal that's caring them can sometimes cause cancer.

Overall adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells have many similarities but also

differences. Embryonic can multiple and adult cells can not. They can make adult stem

cells into embryonic. Both if inputted in an animal can cause cancer. Scientist are
working on finding a way to use adult stem cells to help cure people that are sick or have

gotten hurt. I believe stem cells can help the general population in amazing.

https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/6.htm