A stem cell is a cell with the unique ability to develop into specialized cell types in the
body. In the future they may be used to replace cells and tissues that have been damaged or lost
due to disease. Here are some meaning of stem cell:
Our body is made up of many different types of cell.
Most cells are specialized to perform particular functions, such as red blood cells – that
carry oxygen around our bodies in the blood, but they are unable to divide.
Stem cells provide new cells for the body as it grows, and replace specialized cells that
are damaged or lost. They have two unique properties that enable them to do this:
They can divide over and over again to produce new cells.
As they divide, they can change into the other types of cell that make up the body.
There are several ways stem cells can be found in the body:
1.
From the body itself - Stem cells have been found in the brain, bone marrow, blood
vessels, skeletal muscle, skin, teeth, heart, gut, liver, and other (although not all) organs
and tissues. They are thought to live in a specific area of each tissue, where they may
You've reached the end of your free preview.
Want to read all 3 pages?
- Spring '16
- N.A
- Cellular differentiation, Bone marrow
