Question

Describe the potential mechanisms that are thought to be involved in how stems cells might ‘work’. Your ‘list’ may not be relevant to all stem cell types, or therapies, but you need to consider them all. (Hint: there are more than 3!)

Answer 1

Stem cells are part of the body's normal repair system. There main function to replace damaged cells in the body.

Human body is composed of over 200 cell types. Each designated to different and particular function.

Undifferentiated biological cells that can be converted into other cell types and can divide to produce more stem cells.

Types of stem cells:-

1. Embryonic stem cells:- Embryonic stem cells are the cells of the inner cell mass of a blastocyt an early stage embryo.
2. Adult stem cells :- These stem cells also called Somatic ( from the body) stem cells which maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. They can be found in children as well as adults , like skin stem cells.

Properties of stem cells to differential into different cell type is called potency

1. Totipotency:- single cells can be converted into any cell type . Example :- Embryo cell
2. Pluripotency:- single cells can be converted into many cell type. Example :- Inner cell mass of blastocyst.
3. Multipotency :- These cells can develop into more than one cell type. Example:- Bone marrow
4. Oligo potency:- single cells can be converted into few cell types. Example :- Lymphoid or myloid stem cells