Stem Cells :: essays research papers

Photo courtesy University of Wisconsin Board of RegentsMicroscopic 10x view of a colony of embryonic stems cells(The stem cell colonies are the rounded, dense populace of cells.)Meriam-Webster defines stem cells as an unspecialized cell that mete outs spring up to differentiated cells. This marrow the can turn into whatsoever cells the body is in need of .Their near limitless potential has made stem cells a significant guidance of medical research. Imagine having the ability to return memory to an Alzheimers patient, deputize skin that was lost during a terrible accident or change a wheelchair-bound person to walk again. But before scientists can give stem cells for medical purposes, they must first learn how to harness their power. They cant trade disease until they learn how to manipulate stem cells to get them to develop into special tissues or variety meat. A stem cell is essentially the building gag rule of the human body. The stem cells inside an embryo will ev entually give rise to every cell, organ and tissue in the fetuss body. Unlike a regular cell, which can only replicate to create more of its stimulate kind of cell, a stem cell is pluripotent. When it divides, it can make any one of the 220 different cells in the human body. Stem cells also progress to the capability to self-renew -- they can reproduce themselves many times over. There are two types of stem cells embryonic stem cells and big stem cells. embryologic stem cells come from an embryo -- the mass of cells in the earliest exhibit of human development that, if implanted in a womans womb, will eventually grow into a fetus. When the embryo is between three and five geezerhood old, it contains stem cells, which are busily working to create the various organs and tissues that will make up the fetus. Adults also have stem cells in the heart, brain, bone marrow, lungs and other organs. They are our built-in repair kits, regenerating cells dishonored by disease, injury and everyday wear and tear. Adult stem cells were erstwhile believed to be more limited than stem cells, only giving rise to the same type of tissue from which they originated. But new research suggests that adult stem cells may have the potential to generate other types of cells, as well. For example, liver cells may be coaxed to produce insulin, which is normally made by the pancreas.