Unit 1: Stem Cells

Mingfen Lo2011-09-13

Stem Cell Basics• What are stem cells?http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=lWfw5en2MEM&feature=relatedhttp://www.tellmeaboutstemcells.org/

• How can they be used for medical benefit?http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=8JTw2RpDo9o&feature=related

• What is the controversy around stem cell research?

http://www.tellmeaboutstemcells.org/questions-and-answers/index.php

VocabularyP1: breakthrough (n/v), promising, stem cell, decade P2: specific, specialized, neuron, muscle tissue, reproduce, cell divisionP3: embryonic stem cell, organ, potentialP4: adult stem cell, injury, laboratory, therapy (therapies), patientP5: incredible, bone marrow, transplant, transfer, treatment, battle (v/n), leukemia, disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s diseaseP6: controversy, oppose, involve, opposition (to), clone, restriction, unlock

Phrases• In the event of (P4) → These adult stem cells assist the body in the event of sickness or injury.

• Depending on (P4) → Depending on where they are stored in the body, adult stem cells turn into a specific type of cell-for the blood, bones, and so on.

• One by one (P6) → They are successfully unlocking the secrets of stem cells, one by one.

• Opposed to (P 6) → Many people are opposed to research on embryonic stem cells if it involves killing embryos to gather cells.

Phrases• In the event of (P4) → These adult stem cells assist the body in the event of sickness or injury. 這些成體幹細胞會在身體不適或受傷時提供協助• Depending on (P4) → Depending on where they are stored in the body, adult stem cells turn into a specific type of cell-for the blood, bones, and so on. 根據其儲存在體內的位置成體幹細胞轉變成特定的細胞如血液或骨 骼等• One by one (P6) → They are successfully unlocking the secrets of stem cells, one by one. 他們正成功地一個一個揭開幹細胞的奧秘• Opposed to (P 6) → Many people are opposed to research on embryonic stem cells if it involves killing embryos to gather cells. 很多人都反對胚胎幹細胞研究，若其涉及殺害胚胎以收集細胞。

Paragraph 1

We are entering a golden age of medicine.Nearly every year, major breakthroughs areannounced in the fight against disease. One ofthe most promising areas of research is in theuse of stem cells. Although we have knownabout them for decades, the flood of breakthroughs in the field began in the late1990s.

Paragraph 1

1. We are entering a _____ _____ of medicine. 2. Nearly every year, _____ _____ are _____ in

the fight _____ disease.3. One of the most _____ areas of research is

in the use of _____ _____. 4. _____ we have known about them for _____,

the _____ of _____ in the field began in the _____.

Paragraph 1: answer

• We are entering a golden age of medicine. • Nearly every year, major breakthroughs are

announced in the fight against disease.• One of the most promising areas of research

is in the use of stem cells. • Although we have known about them for

decades, the flood of breakthroughs in the field began in the 1990s.

Paragraph 21. A stem cell is a cell without a _____ _____.2. However, it has the _____ to _____ _____

any kind of _____ cells.3. _____, for example, a stem cell could

become a _____ cell, _____, or a cell that _____ muscle _____.

4. Stem cells can also _____ themselves through cell _____, becoming another stem cell or a _____ cell.

Paragraph 2: answer• A stem cell is a cell without a specific function.• However, it has the ability to turn into any

kind of specialized cells.• So, for example, a stem cell could become a

blood cell, neuron, or a cell that builds muscle tissue.

• Stem cells can also reproduce themselves through cell division, becoming another stem cell or a specialized cell.

Paragraph 31. Scientists largely _____ _____ two kinds of

stem cells.2. First, there are _____ stem cells, _____ divide

and specialize after an _____ is formed.3. As they specialize, these cells form our _____,

muscles, _____, and _____ _____.4. Because of their limitless _____, researchers

feel _____ stem cells _____ the greatest _____ for the _____ uses.

Paragraph 3: answer• Scientists largely focus on two kinds of stem

cells.• First, there are embryonic stem cells, which

divide and specialize after an embryo is formed.

• As they specialize, these cells form our organs, muscles, bones, and so on.

• Because of their limitless potential, researchers feel embryonic stem cells hold the greatest hope for the medical uses.

Paragraph 41. As a person grows, he or she _____ a number of

stem cells in the _____, blood and other parts of the body.

2. These _____ stem cells _____ the body in the _____ of _____ or _____.

3. _____ on _____ they are _____ in the body, adult stem cells turn into a _____ type of cell– for the blood, bones, and so on.

4. Scientists are trying to _____ _____ how to grow adult stem cells in a _____.

5. If successful, they may be able to design _____ using a _____ own stem cells.

Paragraph 4: answer• As a person grows, he or she stores a number of

stem cells in the tissues, blood and other parts of the body.

• These adult stem cells assist the body in the event of sickness or injury.

• Depending on where they are stored in the body, adult stem cells turn into a specific type of cell– for the blood, bones, and so on.

• Scientists are trying to figure out how to grow adult stem cells in a laboratory.

• If successful, they may be able to design therapies using a patient’s own stem cells.

Paragraph 51. The _____ medical uses of stem cells are _____.2. Since the _____, doctors have performed _____

_____ _____, transferring stem cells from one person to _____.

3. This _____ has been used to _____ leukemia and other diseases.

4. The hope is that by using adult or embryonic stem cells, doctors will be able to treat many other _____ illnesses.

5. _____ disease and _____ disease may be among the first to be treated using stem cell _____.

Paragraph 5: answer• The potential medical uses of stem cells are

incredible.• Since the 1960s, doctors have performed bone

marrow transplants, transferring stem cells from one person to another.

• This treatment has been used to battle leukemia and other diseases.

• The hope is that by using adult or embryonic stem cells, doctors will be able to treat many other serious illnesses.

• Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease may be among the first to be treated using stem cell therapies.

Paragraph 6

1. However, stem cell research is not without _____.

2. Many people are _____ _____ research _____ embryonic stem cells if it _____ killing embryos to _____ cells.

3. There is also _____ to _____ humans or human body _____.

4. However, scientist continue making _____ _____, even when working under _____.

5. They are successfully _____ the secrets of stem cells, one _____ one.

Paragraph 6: answer• However, stem cell research is not without

controversy.• Many people are opposed to research on

embryonic stem cells if it involves killing embryos to gather cells.

• There is also opposition to cloning humans or human body parts.

• However, scientist continue making amazing discoveries, even when working under restrictions.

• They are successfully unlocking the secrets of stem cells, one by one.