BIOTECHNOLOGY 8: QUARTER 4 MODULE 1

Stem Cells
PRESENTED BY Jhyoxia B. Carillas
 stem cells
These are "undifferentiated cells" or "blank cells". It means they
do not have a specific job or function. Stem cells can develop
cells that serve many functions in different parts of our body.
While Differentiated cells are the most cells in the body that can
serve a specific purpose in a specific organ. For example, nerve
cells are specifically designed for sending and receiving signals
from our brain and red blood cells are responsible for carrying
oxygen through the blood.
1
 How does Stem Cells divide?
• They can split up through mitosis to produce more stem cells. Other cells in
the body can only replicate a limited number of times before these cells
begin to break down. When a stem cell divides, it can either remain a stem
cell or turn into differentiated cells, such as red blood cells, muscle cells, or
nerve cells.
• They can also renew themselves for a long period of time. Our body uses
stem cells to replace destroyed cells when they die. For example, the lining
of the human intestine can be completely replaced every four (4) days. The
stem cells beneath the intestine's lining replace these cells as they wear out.
2
 Scientists believe that stem cell
technology can be useful for treating and
understanding a variety of malignant and
non-malignant diseases. They can be
utilized to grow new cells in a laboratory
to replace or restore damaged organs or
tissues and treat parts of organs that are
not functional. As well as to conduct

Figure 1: Stem Cells

researches about the main causes of genetic defects in cells, how diseases take place,
or why certain cells grow into cancer cells, and check new drugs for well-being and
effectiveness. 3
 CELL POTENCY
Cell Potency is the ability of a cell to differentiate
into other cell types.
The more cell types a cell can differentiate into,
the greater its potency. It is also described as the
gene activation potential within a cell.

4
 Classes of stem cells based on their
potential
CLASS DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
The ability to Cells from early
Totipotent differentiate into all (1-2 days)
possible cell types. embryo
Embryonic stem cells and
The ability to
Pluripotent differentiate into
cells derived from
mesoderm, endoderm, and
almost all possible ectoderm germ layers
5
 CLASS DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE

Fetal tissue, cord blood,

The ability to
Multipotent differentiate into a close and adult stem cells that
can become red and
related family of cells.
The ability to only
white blood cells.

produce of their own type, Adult

Unipotent but have the property of muscle stem
self-renewal required to
be labeled a stem cell. cells. 6
 Types of Stem Cells
Researchers study a lot of different types of stem cells. These are
embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and adult stem
cells.
• Embryonic stem cells (ESCs)
are derived from human embryos that are three to five days old. These cells
are harvested during a process called in vitro fertilization (fertilizing an
embryo in a laboratory instead of inside the female body). Embryonic stem
cells are also called pluripotent stem cells. They can give rise to virtually
any other type of cell in the body. They can also renew themselves
indefinitely. 7
Figure 2: Embryonic stem cells (ESCs)
8
 Types of Stem Cells
• Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
are the stem cells that scientists have recently discovered, i.e.
how to turn adult stem cells into pluripotent stem cells. These
cells can differentiate into all types of specialized cells in the
body. They potentially produce new cells for any organ or tissue.
These cells are generated from reprogrammed somatic cells.
These are similar or equivalent to ESCs (pluripotent and the
ability to renew themselves indefinitely).
9
With the discovery of iPSCs, there may be less of a need for human embryos in
research. It may help ease the concerns of those who are against using embryos for
medical research

8
Figure 3: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (IPSCs)
 Types of Stem Cells
• Adult stem cells
have been identified in many organs and tissues and are
generally associated with specific anatomical locations. They
are used by the body to replace and repair damaged tissue in
the same area in which they are found. Adult stem cells
cannot differentiate into as many other types of cells, but
embryonic stem cells can.
9
 One of the examples is hematopoietic
stem cells. These are a type of adult
stem cell found in the bone marrow.
Hematopoietic stem cells can make new
red blood cells, white blood cells, and
other types of blood cells. Doctors have
been performing stem cell transplants
also known as bone marrow transplants,
for decades using hematopoietic stem
cells to treat certain types of cancer.

Figure 4: Adult Stem Cells

10
Stem Cell Research Controversy
In recent years, there has been controversy over the way human
embryonic stem cells are obtained. The embryo is destroyed
during the process of harvesting embryonic stem cells. This raises
some ethical concerns for people who believe that the destruction
of a fertilized embryo is morally wrong. The opponents believe
that an embryo is a living human being and this should not be
used for research. They believe that the embryo should have the
same rights as every other human and should be protected.

11
Stem Cell Research Controversy
On the other hand, stem cell supporters believe that the
embryos are not yet humans. For them, they receive
consent from the donor couple whose eggs and sperm
were used to create the embryo. The supporters also argue
that the fertilized eggs developed during in vitro
fertilization would be discarded anyway, so they might be
put to better use for scientific research.

12
Thank You!
Presented by Jhyoxia B. Carillas