<h2>Stem Cell Research</h2>
<p>Stem cells are cells found in all <a data-lesson="cell-organization" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="cell-biology" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/cell-biology/cell-organization">multicellular</a> organisms. Stem cells can differentiate into any type of cell such as a red <a data-lesson="blood-2" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="human-biology" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/human-biology/blood-2">blood</a> cell, nerve cell, etc. The two types of stem cells are <strong>embryonic stem cells</strong> and <strong>adult stem cells</strong>. Embryonic stem cells can specialise into any cell type, while adult stem cells usually have some restrictions as to what type of cell they can become.</p>
<p>Adult stem cells are produced in various <a data-lesson="complex-tissue-structure" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="introducing-animal-diversity" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/introducing-animal-diversity/complex-tissue-structure">tissues</a> including the liver and the <a data-lesson="bone" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="musculoskeletal-system" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/musculoskeletal-system/bone">bone</a> marrow. Embryonic stem cells are obtained from embryos and can be created <em>in vitro</em> (in the laboratory). Multiple embryos are generated through <em>in vitro</em> fertilisation methods, in which <a data-lesson="egg-cells" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="human-biology" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/human-biology/egg-cells">egg cells</a> are harvested from the mother and fertilised by <a data-lesson="sperm" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="human-biology" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/human-biology/sperm">sperm</a> cells from the father, outside of the body. The embryos that are not implanted into a patient are frozen or stored. Some of them are destroyed. The potential uses for stem cells include:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Spinal cord injury:</strong> Repairing damaged nerve tissue after paralysis.</li>
<li><strong>Brain damage:</strong> Replacing or regenerating <a data-lesson="neurons" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="nervous-system" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/nervous-system/neurons">neurons</a> in degenerative conditions like Parkinson's <a data-lesson="neurodegenerative-disorders" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="nervous-system" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/nervous-system/neurodegenerative-disorders">disease</a> or after a stroke.</li>
<li><strong>Cancer:</strong> Creating new cells to replace cancerous cells e.g. bone marrow transplants for people with leukaemia.</li>
<li><strong>Burn treatment:</strong> New <a data-lesson="skin" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="human-biology" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/human-biology/skin">skin</a> cells that match the donor may be grafted onto burn victims.</li>
</ul>
<p>The figure below shows how embryonic cells differentiate to form nerve cells.</p>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1010px"><img alt="" height="1899" src="https://data.ulearngo.com/assets/ea5dd661-fdf6-4372-8e01-b4ae9d447fe0" width="1010"/><p class="wp-caption-text">A) undifferentiated embryonic stem cells and B) nerve cells forming from embryonic cells.</p></div>
<div class="ns-school-defn2">
<p>Recall that in <a href="https://app.ulearngo.com/tutorial/biology-102">a previous tutorial</a>, you learnt that individuals with <a data-lesson="cancer" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="introducing-the-cell" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/introducing-the-cell/cancer">cancer</a> can be treated through <a data-lesson="cancer-treatment" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="introducing-the-cell" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/introducing-the-cell/cancer-treatment">chemotherapy</a> and radiation. However, these therapies often destroy healthy cells along with cancerous cells. The use of adult stem cells which derive from the bone marrow and liver tissue is important in replacing the healthy cells damaged by chemotherapy.</p>
</div>
<p>The use of stem cells and embryonic stem cells in particular, is controversial, with many people opposed to it for moral, religious or philosophical reasons. The objection is largely based on what happens to the unused embryos.</p>
<h2>Video: Stem Cells</h2>
<p>Are you confused about stem cells? Watch this entertaining video by SciShow that explains what stem cells are and why they are so exciting.</p>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jF2iXpoG5j8?rel=0&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;cc_lang_pref=en&amp;cc_load_policy=1" width="640"></iframe></p>

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Stem Cell Research

Biology studies life and living organisms. Biology can be divided into different sections that cover the morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, and so on of living organisms.

Biology

Discover the characteristics and functions of different plant and animal tissues, such as meristematic and nervous tissue, as well as learn about traditional medicines and ethical issues in stem cell research in this tutorial.


Stem Cell Research

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