What are Stem Cells?

Biological cells found in multicellular organisms, that can divide and

differentiate into diverse specialized cell types.

Where are Stem Cells Found?There are three basic types of stem cells. Fetal stem cells are found

in human beings during the fetal stage of development and can be used from aborted fetuses or from the umbilical cord of a newly delivered baby. Embryonic stem cells are found in embryos and are generally used from frozen embryos that are designated to be incinerated as medical waste. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, are found in many different tissues within the human body and can be used, to a limited extent, without harming the individual or causing excessive pain.

What they become….

Stem cells become skin cells, brain cells, heart cells. They are important cells that make up our body.

What are stem cell potents?

Potency specifies the differentiation potential (the potential to differentiate into different cell types) of the stem cell. Embryonic stem cells are the most potent since they must become every type of cell in the body.

Potents:Potency Types Description Sources

TotipotentThe master cells of humans. Each cell can develop into a new human.

Cells from the first few divisions of the fertilized egg only - early embryos (1 to 3 days old)

PluripotentCells can form ANY cell type such as muscle, nerve, blood, etc. (over 200 in the body)

Cells from a blastocyst (embryo that is 5-14 days old)

Multipotent (aka somatic or lineage-restricted cells)

Cells that have already differentiated, but can still form a limited number of other tissues

Found in Fetal tissue, cord blood, and adult stem cells.

Works CitedWeed, Geoffrey. "Where Are Stem Cells Found?." eHow.com. Demand Media, Inc., n.d. Web. 24 Oct 2011. <http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4569029_stem-cells-found.html>.