Embryonic and Tissue Stem Cells

Embryonic and Tissue Stem Cells

Introduction

• Stem cells are unique cells in animals capable of continuous cell division.
• They serve crucial roles in growth, development, and tissue repair.

Embryonic Stem Cells

• Found in early embryos.
• Characteristics:
  • Continuous division.
  • All genes can be expressed.
  • Potential to develop into any cell type.
• Important for embryonic growth.

Ethical Concerns with Embryonic Stem Cells

• Some individuals find their use ethically unacceptable due to the destruction of early embryos.

Tissue (Adult) Stem Cells

• Found in mature organisms.
• Primary function: Replace differentiated cells in need of replacement.
• Termed "multipotent" as they can give rise to a limited range of cell types specific to their tissue.
• Example: Red bone marrow stem cells produce various blood cell types.

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Embryonic and Tissue Stem Cells

Roles of Tissue Stem Cells

• Tissue stem cells are responsible for tissue repair and regeneration in adults.
• They ensure the continuous renewal of specific cell types, maintaining organ function.

Summary

Stem cells are essential cells with the ability for continuous division and the potential to develop into various cell types. Embryonic stem cells are found in early embryos and can give rise to any cell type, while tissue (adult) stem cells are multipotent and replace specific cell types in mature organisms. Ethical concerns exist regarding the use of embryonic stem cells due to embryo destruction. Tissue stem cells play a vital role in tissue repair and maintaining organ function in adults.