AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Why is there such an interest in stem cells? Researchers hope stem cell studies can help to: Increase understanding of how diseases occur. By watching stem cells mature into cells in bones, heart muscle, nerves, and other organs and tissue, researchers may better understand how diseases and conditions develop.

Detailed explanation-2: -Researchers study many different types of stem cells. There are several main categories: the “pluripotent” stem cells (embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells) and nonembryonic or somatic stem cells (commonly called “adult” stem cells).

Detailed explanation-3: -Signals from the environment-chemicals, extracellular proteins/hormones/factors, neighboring cells, the physical environment-converge on the cell, typically activating a signaling cascade that leads to gene expression. These specific proteins change the phenotype into that of a more specialized cell.

Detailed explanation-4: -These cells are used in procedures such as bone marrow transplants. These help people with cancer make new blood cells after their own hematopoietic stem cells have been killed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. They may also be used to treat people with conditions such as Fanconi anemia.

Detailed explanation-5: -A primary goal of stem cell research is identifying how undifferentiated stem cells become differentiated. Some of the most serious medical conditions, such as cancer and birth defects, are due to abnormal cell division and differentiation.