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Stem Cells in Humans

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can differentiate into specialized cell types. Embryonic stem cells originate in the early embryo and can become any cell type, while adult stem cells are found in specific tissues and can only form closely related cell types. Through gene expression, stem cells become differentiated cells that perform specialized functions, though they lose the ability to replicate. Multicellular organisms organize cells into tissues, organs, and organ systems to carry out increasingly complex processes needed for survival.

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114 views4 pages

Stem Cells in Humans

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can differentiate into specialized cell types. Embryonic stem cells originate in the early embryo and can become any cell type, while adult stem cells are found in specific tissues and can only form closely related cell types. Through gene expression, stem cells become differentiated cells that perform specialized functions, though they lose the ability to replicate. Multicellular organisms organize cells into tissues, organs, and organ systems to carry out increasingly complex processes needed for survival.

Uploaded by

Sana Naina
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Stem cells in humans

Stem cells are cells that have not undergone differentiation. A cell which has not yet
become specialised is called undifferentiated.

An embryo develops from a fertilised egg. All of the cells in an embryo start off identical and
undifferentiated.

These cells are called embryonic stem cells and can become specialised to form any type of cell.

They do this by switching genes on and off. For example, if one of the embryonic stem cells
formed a muscle cell, it would switch on the genes to turn it into a muscle cell and switch off the
genes that would cause it to become a different type of cell.

The embryonic stem cells receive signals from other cells so that they turn the correct genes on
and off. Most cells in a human embryo start to become specialised when the embryo has eight
cells.

This is very early on in the development of the embryo. A whole new organism with skin, eyes,
heart, liver and all of the organs it needs, will develop from the embryonic stem cells. This
allows the organism to have all the tissues it needs with the correct functions to be able to
survive.

Some stem cells remain in the bodies of adults. Adult stem cellsare found in limited numbers at
certain locations in the body, including the:

 brain
 eyes
 blood
 heart
 liver
 bone marrow
 skin
 muscle
Adult stem cells are unspecialised but can become specialised much later than embryonic stem
cells. They can differentiate into related cell types only. For instance, adult stem cells in the bone
marrow can differentiate into blood cells and cells of the immune system, but not other cell
types.

DIFFERENTIATION
When cells express specific genes that characterise a certain type of cell we say that a cell has
become differentiated.

Once a cell becomes differentiated it only expresses the genes that produce the proteins
characteristic for that type of cell.

Differentiated cells are important in a multicellular organism because they are able to perform a
specialised function in the body. However, specialisation comes at a cost.

The cost is that the differentiated cells often lose the ability to make new copies of themselves.

Multicellular organisms must therefore retain some unspecialised cells that can replenish cells
when needed. These unspecialised cells are called stem cells.

Cells, tissues, organs and systems


Multicellular organisms are organised into increasingly complex parts. In order, from least
complex to most complex:

 cells
 tissues
 organs
 organ systems
 organism

Tissues
Animal cells and plant cells can form tissues, such as muscle tissue in animals. A living tissue is
made from a group of cells with a similar structure and function, which all work together to do a
particular job. Here are some examples of tissues:

 muscle
 the lining of the intestine
 the lining of the lungs
 xylem (tubes that carry water in a plant)

Organs
An organ is made from a group of different tissues, which all work together to do a particular
job. Here are some examples of organs:
 heart
 lung
 stomach
 brain
 leaf
 root

Organ systems
An organ system is made from a group of different organs, which all work together to do a
particular job. Here are some examples of organ systems:

 circulatory system : heart, blood vessels,which transport materials around the body
 gas exchange system: lungs, exchange o2 and c02
 digestive system
 nervous system; brain, spinal cord,nerves,coordinates bodys actions
 reproductive system; producing sperm in males and eggs in females and allowing the
development of the embryo
 endocrine system; glands secreting hormones acts as chemical messengers
 excretory system; kidneys, filter toxic waste materials from blood

Cellular respiration
All organisms respire in order to release energy to fuel their living processes. The respiration can
be aerobic, which uses glucose and oxygen, or anaerobic which uses only glucose. Respiration
must happen all of the time so that the organism can survive.

Releasing energy in the form of ATP


Respiration releases energy - it is an exothermic process. The energy is stored in molecules
of ATP. ATP can be broken down in other processes in cells to release the stored energy.

Don't confuse respiration with photosynthesis.


Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, and some bacteria, synthesise food molecules -
which they then use, in addition to other things, for respiration. The process of photosynthesis
requires energy - it is endothermic.
Don't confuse respiration with breathing, which is ventilation. Respiration happens inside cells.
Breathing is the movement of air into and out of the respiratory system, which involves organs
like the lungs.

Why organisms need energy in the form of ATP

 To drive the chemical reactions needed to keep organisms alive - the reactions to build
complex carbohydrates, proteins and lipids from the products of photosynthesis in plants, and
the products of digestion in animals, require energy.
 Movement - in animals, ATP is needed to make muscles contract, while in plants, it is
needed for transport of substances in the phloem.
All organisms need ATP to live.

Respiration is only around 40 per cent efficient. As animals respire, heat is also released.

In birds and mammals, this heat is distributed around the body by the blood. It keeps these
animals warm and helps to keep a constant internal temperature.

ATP is also required:

 For cell division.


 To maintain constant conditions in cells and the body. This is called homeostasis.
 To move molecules against concentration gradients in active transport.
 For the transmission of nerve impulses.

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