Stem Cells and Specialisation
Stem cells can become many cell types.
About this topic
Stem cells are unspecialised cells that can divide and differentiate into various cell types. Embryonic stem cells can become any type (pluripotent), while adult stem cells, as in bone marrow, form a limited range. Differentiation happens as different genes are switched on.
Stem cells are used to treat blood diseases through bone marrow transplants, and research aims to grow tissues and organs. Ethical issues surround the use of embryos, though induced pluripotent stem cells made from adult cells provide an alternative.
Bone marrow stem cells constantly make new red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, which is why bone marrow transplants can cure leukaemia. When a stem cell differentiates, it switches on certain genes: a red blood cell, for example, fills with haemoglobin and ejects its nucleus. Cells specialise to be good at one job, such as long nerve cells carrying signals or root hair cells with a big surface area.
Researchers are growing replacement skin for burn victims and studying how to repair damaged hearts and spinal cords with stem cells. Ethical debate surrounds embryonic stem cells because obtaining them destroys an embryo, while induced pluripotent cells made from adult cells avoid this. A misconception is that specialised cells lose genes; in fact they keep all their DNA and simply use different parts.
Key ideas
- Embryonic and adult stem cells
- Differentiation switches genes on and off
- Used in medicine
Quick check
Use cases: where Stem Cells and Specialisation helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Stem Cells and Specialisation before you start a problem set.
- Exam revision: use the quick check to test whether you can recall Stem Cells and Specialisation without notes.
- Visual learning: play with the interactive lab to see how Stem Cells and Specialisation changes when you adjust its inputs.
- Teaching a friend: explain Stem Cells and Specialisation in your own words, then compare your version with the key ideas.
Biology underpins medicine, farming, conservation and biotechnology.
Frequently asked questions
What is Stem Cells and Specialisation?
Stem cells can become many cell types.
What will I learn in Stem Cells and Specialisation?
Embryonic and adult stem cells. Differentiation switches genes on and off. Used in medicine.
Is Stem Cells and Specialisation part of Biology?
Yes. It is one of 150 Biology topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Stem Cells and Specialisation lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Stem Cells and Specialisation?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
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