By: Caroline Webster
The definition of a stem cell
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A stem cell is a cell that has the ability to continuously
divide and develop into other kinds of cells and tissues.
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They are unspecialized cells- meaning they don't have a
specific job or function but they have the potential to
become specialized cell types. For example they are the
cells that become cells such as heart cells, nerve cells,
brain cells or any of the 220 cell types.
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Stem cells replicate over and over for long periods of time
and also replace cell tissue that is damaged. Regenerative
medicine.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellularmicroscopic/stem-cell1.htm
Personalized medicine
Why does the body use stem cells?
Stem cells repair your organs
Regenerative medicineThe body uses specific tissue stem cells to
replace cells when they die
 Ex- Intestines: when you replace the lining
of your intestine the stem cells beneath the
lining of the intestine replace the cells
 Embryonic stem cells are pluripotentMeaning the can be grown into any kind of
tissue in the body
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The possibility of curing
Alzheimer's disease using stem
cells
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Alzheimer's disease is the loss of brain
function.
Researchers injected stem cells into
mice and were able to identify that these
human cells which were from adipose
tissue behaved in a special way.
The cells were able to migrate through
the blood barrier and into the brain.
They injected the mice for ten months
and after analysis they discovered it
improved the ability to learn and
remember.
http://medicineworld.org/cancer/lead/82007/vaccine-thwarts-the-tangles-ofalzheimers.html
Citations
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Works Cited
"10 Talks on the Future of Stem Cell Medicine." TED
Blog 10 Talks on the Future of Stem Cellmedicine
Comments. TedConferences, 13 Sept. 2012. Web.
15 Sept. 2014.
"Adult Stem Cells Can Prevent Alzheimer's Disease."
News-Medical.net. AZoNetwork Site, 27 Sept. 2012.
Web. 15 Sept. 2014.
"Frequently Asked Questions." Stem Cell Basics
[Stem Cell Information]. NIH, 28 Apr. 2009. Web. 15
Sept. 2014.
"Stem Cells." Stem Cells. University of Utah. Web.
15 Sept. 2014.