Stem Cells
Human Stem Cells
- Stem cells are UNDIFFERENTIATED cells capable of becoming other types of cells, undergoing a process known as DIFFERENTIATION.
HUMANS have TWO types of stem cells:
1. Stem cells found in early HUMAN EMBRYOS, have the potential to turn into ANY cell type.
2. ADULT STEM CELLS exist too but are limited in the types of cells they can turn into. They are commonly found in BONE MARROW and can only differentiate into different types of BLOOD CELLS (e.g. RED blood cells and WHITE blood cells).
Healing with Stem Cells
STEM CELLS can be grown in labs and differentiated into specialised cells for
- Unlike adult human stem cells, plant stem cells can differentiate into ANY type of plant cell.
- This technique is useful for preserving RARE SPECIES of plants and producing CROPS with desirable traits like DISEASE and INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE.