Embryonic Stem Cells

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Stem cell research is an area in science that has very promising potential. Stem cells are initially ‘unspecialised’ or ‘blank’ cells that have the capability to transform into the two hundred different kinds of cells known in the human body (e.g. nerve and muscle cells). This is done with proper attention and coaxing. Scientists may compare it to ‘a person who has not decided what to do when he/she grows up.’ (Veigas, J. 2003). There are three different groups of stem cells: Embryonic stem cells, Embryonic Germ cells and Adult stem cells. Scientists remove these stem cells from a living organism and keep them in vitro in labs and add different chemical formulas or tissue types to direct the different growths in the cells. Researchers will …show more content…

Stem cells have the characteristic to be able to mould themselves into various types of cells of different shapes and sizes; this is known as ‘plasticity’. They also have the ability to divide and turn into any type of cell in the body. This is when stem cells is called pluripotent. However, stem cells do not remain in this pluripotent stage forever, so scientists have developed a combination of nutrients that freeze the process of the stem cells from developing into specialised cells (specific cells e.g. nerve, muscle, skin cells). Scientist are hoping to use the stem cells’ ability to limitlessly divide and duplicate (unlike normal cells that are limited in their ability to replicate) and in the future, use them to treat countless conditions and …show more content…

In the specific part of the body they are located in, they will tend to only turn into the cell complementary to the surrounding tissue. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent but adult stem cells on the other hand, are multipotent. To be multipotent means that adult stem cells are limited to transform into the different types of cells that are closely related to the organ in which they are located. Their purpose is to replenish cells in dead tissue or organs where the adult stem cell is situated. “Adult” (stem cells), refers to where they are found and their

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