Unit 1: Stem Cells
Mingfen Lo
2011-09-13
Stem Cell Basics
• What are stem cells?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWfw5en2MEM&feature=rel
ated
http://www.tellmeaboutstemcells.org/
• How can they be used for medical benefit?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JTw2RpDo9o&feature=relat
ed
• What is the controversy around stem cell
research?
http://www.tellmeaboutstemcells.org/questions-andanswers/index.php
Vocabulary
P1: breakthrough (n/v), promising, stem cell, decade
P2: specific, specialized, neuron, muscle tissue,
reproduce, cell division
P3: embryonic stem cell, organ, potential
P4: adult stem cell, injury, laboratory, therapy
(therapies), patient
P5: incredible, bone marrow, transplant, transfer,
treatment, battle (v/n), leukemia, disease,
Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease
P6: 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 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 late
1990s.
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 2
1. 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 3
1. 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 4
1. 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 5
1. 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.