Question

Explain the role of stem cells in medical treatment.

Answer 1

Stem cells have the potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain as a stem cell or become another type of cell with a specialised function, such as a muscle cell or a red blood cell. Stem cells are of three main types:

1. Embryonic stem cells: These are taken from a five to six-day-old embryo. They have the ability to form any type of cell in the body
2. Embryonic germ cells: These are derived from a part of a human embryo and ultimately produce eggs or sperm.
3. Adult stem cells: These are the undifferentiated cells found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ after birth.