Unit 3 Sht_3

Sht 3_3

1. What is the source of umbilical cord blood stem cells?

2. What type of blood disorders can be treated using blood stem cells from the umbilical cord?

4. Copy and complete the table below to show examples of the potential uses of stem cells. The first one has been done for you.

5. For many conditions adult stem cells are not suitable and researchers are hoping to use embryonic stem cells from a 6 day-old developing embryo.

(i) What is the difference between an embryonic stem cell and an adult stem cell?

(ii) What is the main source of embryos to provide stem cells for this research?

6. Many researchers hope to be able to produce embryonic stem cells derived from the patient’s own cells. Figure 1 outlines the process they would use.

(a) Why is it a significant advantage to make the embryonic stem cells from the patient’s own cells in the way shown in Figure 1 ?

(b) Why is this process called cloning?

(c) Why do the researchers choose to harvest the cells for culturing at six days and not a week later when there would be far more cells?

7. Many people are opposed to the use of embryonic stem cells on ethical grounds. Others feel there are good ethical reasons for doing this research. In your jotter, outline the two main arguments used on both sides and explain your own position.