Information On What Is A Stem Cell And Where Do They Come From?
What is a stem cell? Stem cells are one of the most important and unique cells found in the body. This is because they are the cells from which all other specialized cells come from. In other words, the stem cell can become any other cell in the body such as, skin cells, brain cells or even cells found in the bone and heart muscle. They are the only cells in the body that can self-renew by dividing itself to form more cells or differentiate into a different type of cell. A whole line or group of cells can descend for just one original stem cell. Lets take a closer look at the question: What is a stem cell?
Where Do Stem Cells Come From?
To better answer the question what is a stem cell? Lets look at where they come from. There are actually several places in the body where stem cells can be found. The embryonic stem cells are the ones found in embryos that are about five days old. Human embryonic stem cell research was one of the first fields that scientists explored. The embryo or blastocyst, as it is often referred to, will normally have around one hundred and fifty cells during this stage and is called pluripotent. These divide into more stem cells or other specialized cells located in the body. Stem cells have also been discovered in amniotic fluid found in the sac that covers and protects the fetus as it develops in the uterus.
Currently there is a lot of money being invested in adult stem cell research. Adult stem cells can be found in bone marrow and other tissues of adults but they are usually few in number. They can also be found in the umbilical cords and placentas. Scientists use to believe that once a stem cell became an adult cell that it could no longer turn into other types of cells but they now know that it is possible to turn an adult stem cell into a different type of cell. Normally, the stem cell will not have any genetic defect. In the past, it was believed that stem cells could only be taken from an embryo but that is no longer the case. Scientists have recently discovered they can remove a group of stem cells from the body, freeze them and place them in storage and use them for research.
What Are Stem Cells Used For?
Stem cells are now being used for a variety of different reasons but they all revolve around helping someone improve the quality of their life. More research needs to be done surrounding stem cells to learn their full potential but currently, they are being used to stop the progression of certain diseases. In some cases, they may even be able to undo some of the damage that is already present in the body. The benefits of stem cell research are only now becoming evident and much more research is needed to fully understand their working.
Stem cells can be transplanted into parts of the body in an attempt to promote the growth of healthy cells, because they do have the ability to adapt and transform into different types of cells. As of date, they have been used to help cure white and red blood cell diseases and cancer. In some cases, they have been used to help repair damaged tissues. They provide hope for millions of people suffering from diseases that are considered incurable and there is no doubt that using stem cells to treat all types of medical problems will increase in the future as more research is done. What is a stem cell you ask? Now you should have a better understanding of stem cells.
