Stem cell
Stem cells are unspecialized cells which have a remarkable ability to differentiate to any type of body cells during early life and growth. There are two main types of stem cell; pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESC) derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst and adult stem cells which are found in differentiated tissues throughout the body, (such as brain, bone marrow, blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, skin and liver). Their role is to maintain and repair tissue cells [1]. After stem cells divide, the daughter cells can either remain as stem cells or differentiate into specialsed cells. Once stem cells become terminally differentiated they maintain their specialised character even if their environment changes [2][3].
References
- ↑ Stem Cell Information, The national institutes of health resource for stem cell research. Available at: http://stemcells.nih.gov/. Accessed 20 of November 2010
- ↑ Stem Cell Information, The national institutes of health resource for stem cell research. Available at: http://stemcells.nih.gov/. Accessed 20 of November 2010
- ↑ What are stem cells from "Medical News today" which can be accessed at: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/stem_cell/