1. Stem cells Learning Objectives:
understand the special nature of stem cells
describe the structure and location of stem cells in humans and in plants and explain the differences between plant and animal cell growth
describe how stem cells have the potential to treat diseases and understand the controversy surrounding this research

2. Stem cells Key points to consider from this video:
Building Body Parts
Key points to consider from this video:
What is the source of the cells used to grow the new body parts in this research?
How would you feel if you needed a transplant one day but couldn’t find a donor?
What are the advantages of this future technology?
Are there ethical issues associated with this research?

3. Stem cells Definition of a Stem cell:
A stem cell is a cell that has the potential to differentiate into the specialised cells that make up the tissues and organs of your body.
Remember this diagram?
Key words:
Zygote – fertilised egg cell
Embryo – ball of cells containing an inner layer of stem cells
Stem cells are also found in some tissues in adults e.g. bone marrow, skin cells
Scientists also believe there may be other sources (brain, muscle, liver, blood)
What is the main difference between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells?

4. Stem cells Where are stem cells found? 1. Video – Embryonic stem cells
4. Frozen embryos
2. Umbilical cord blood
3. Foetal germ cells (from terminated pregnancies)
5. Adult bone marrow

5. Stem cells
Differences between specialisation in plants and animal cells
Animals: Once cells have divided by mitosis and then undergone differentiation to form specialised cells, they can not change into another type of cell.
Only stem cells have the ability to change into another cell.
Plants: Plant cells never lose their ability to specialise into other tissues.
Ever seen any of these in your veggie drawer?
Onions growing:
Potatoes growing:

6. Stem cells – what do you think?
Can you list some of the arguments for (advantages) and against (ethical concerns) stem cell research?
Advantages
Ethical concerns
Grow new organs for transplant
No need for anti-rejection drugs after operations
Treatment of diseases that were previously incurable e.g. spinal injuries, infertility, dementia, blindness
Research into causes of disease and degeneration
Human rights – embryos cannot give permission
Religious – all embryos are a potential human life
Medical – stem cells have been seen to cause cancer when used in mice
Cost – it is a difficult, expensive process that is hard to control

7. Stem cells
Key word anagrams:
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wrom nabero
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8. Stem cells
Key word anagrams:
Mitosis
Stem cells
Embryonic
Bone marrow
Differentiation
Cloning
Specialised
Umbilical cord
Zygote
Foetus
Research
Ethics

9. The future of stem cell research
Since 1998, when the first human embryonic stem cells were cultured, scientists have been excited about the prospect of using stem cells to treat diseases.
Hwk:
Research the use of stem cells and therapeutic cloning and their potential for future medical treatments.
Useful websites:
Produce a short report (no more than one typed page) or a poster (no bigger than A3) of your findings.

10. Learning Objectives - review:
Stem cells
Learning Objectives - review:
understand the special nature of stem cells
describe the structure and location of stem cells in humans and in plants and explain the differences between plant and animal cell growth
describe how stem cells have the potential to treat diseases and understand the controversy surrounding this research