About stem cells

Adela Hirthe Comments Off on About stem cells

Stem cells serve as internal repair systems that live in many tissues. They have the ability to develop into multiple cell types in a living person’s body. Stem cells can be induced to serve special functions. In your body’s organs such as your gut and bone marrow, these cells are often divided to replace and repair damaged tissues. There are generally two types of stem cells; embryonic and adult stem cells.

Embryonic stem cells

These cells are derived from a 5-day old embryo that is in the early stage of development. Embryos usually get created in an IVF clinic where a few eggs are placed in a test tube before one is implanted into the female patient. Once the implantation in the uterus begins, the outer cell mass forms as part of the placenta within six days. This is better referred to as trophoblast where the inner cell mass becomes part of the human structure.

Adult stem cells

Adult stem cells or otherwise known as somatic cells exist throughout your body after the embryonic phase is completed. These cells are found in brain, bone marrow, blood vessels, skin, liver, and skeletal muscles. They can remain idle in the body until a disease or tissue injury activates them. Adult stem cells tend to self-renew unlimitedly, enabling them to regenerate through the entire organ.

Research

Researchers have been testing stem cells for many years now. As every cell in the body is derived from embryonic cells, they have the ability to serve any function. The stem cells that are taken from embryos can easily be induced to form any cell type, thus making it possible to repair damaged tissues anywhere in the body as well as cardiovascular diseases and brain abnormalities. Other diseases that can be treated include sickle cell anemia, blood cancer, and immune deficiencies.

Categories: Stemcells