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Stem cells can develop into any type of body cell - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 28 - 2011 - Paper 1
Question 28
Stem cells can develop into any type of body cell. When stimulated they can differentiate into specialised cells. The skin contains stem cells as well as epidermal,... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Stem cells can develop into any type of body cell - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 28 - 2011 - Paper 1
Step 1
Outline how gene expression in skin stem cells is linked to the maintenance of health after the skin is broken.
Answer
Gene expression in skin stem cells plays a critical role in the maintenance of health following skin injury. When the skin is broken, certain signals trigger the activation of these stem cells.
This activation leads to their differentiation into various cell types necessary for the repair process, including epithelial cells that restore the skin barrier. Moreover, gene expression changes help in producing growth factors and cytokines that facilitate wound healing and regenerate damaged tissue.
Step 2
Explain features of the new artificial blood made from skin stem cells that are likely to be an improvement over an existing form of artificial blood.
Answer
The new artificial blood derived from skin stem cells presents several advantages over traditional forms of artificial blood. Firstly, it can be tailored specifically to the patient's immune profile, thus reducing the risk of rejection. Additionally, since it is created from the patient’s own stem cells, there is a lower likelihood of contamination and disease transmission.
Furthermore, skin stem cells have the potential for generating both red and white blood cells, offering a more complete blood substitute. The ability to produce a renewable source of blood cells through this method could significantly enhance the availability of blood products in medical treatments.