Learn Genetics
Name____________________________________ Date _____________Period ________________
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/
Nature of Stem Cells Video Clip
1. What is a specialized cell?
2. Name and describe one specialized cell - ________________________:
3. What is a stem cell?
4. What causes the stem cells of the embryo to start differentiating?
5. What are “somatic” stem cells?
6. How are somatic stem cells different from embryonic stem cells?
Nova – Stem Cell Breakthrough Video (14 min)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/stem-cells-breakthrough.html
1. What genetic disorder does Stephanie have?
2. Where do most stem cells come from?
3. What type of cell was initially studied to replace embryonic stem cells?
4. How many genes from the human gene pool did they isolate to possibly create stem cells?
5. Was there any difference between the embryonic stem cells and the reprogrammed skin cells?
6. What are the problems with the reprogrammed stem cells?
7. What were some of the steps involved in curing sickle cell in mice?
Background Information (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/education/activities/0305_03_nsn.html )
Read the background information and create a flow chart to explain the general process of how stem cells work.
Be sure to include the bold printed words in your flow chart. You may use a separate sheet of paper to do this
activity.
Stem Cell Quick Reference Guide (http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/)
Using the reference guide, describe the steps involved in creating each of the 4 types of stem cells (if the
information is present). Also include ethical issues and how they can be used in therapy.
Embryonic Stem Cells
Somatic Stem Cells
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Therapeutic Stem Cells
The Story of IPS Cells (http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/)
1. Describe the difference between differentiated cells and stem cells.
2. Explain how scientists were able to change differentiated cells into stem cells.