Different Types of Stem Cells
Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can undergo differentiation into specialized cell types. A final stage of cell development, differentiation is the process whereby cells become specialized to fulfill a specific role. The red blood cells, for example, are specialized to carry oxygen. In addition, stem cells divide to reproduce themselves. Stem cells are derived from different sources and classified based on their potency.
SOURCES OF STEM CELLS
Basically, stem cells are found in adult humans or within the embryo. The former are referred as adult stem cells, but this term might be misleading because they include stem cells derived from infants and umbilical cord blood. Found in several tissues, the adult stem cells play a vital role particularly when cells are destroyed due to injury, among others. Adult stem cells in the intestines, bones and skins can exclusively generate cells of the same kind. Thus far, adult stems cells are not found in every tissue.
The embryonic stem cells, as its name implies, is found the inner mass of the blastocyst- the very early stage of the embryo. They have the flexibility to differentiate into about 200 cells types found in adult humans.
TYPES OF STEM CELLS
Stem cells are classified based on their potency-the ability of specific stem cells to differentiate into different types of cells. Some stem cells are capable of forming into any types of cells, whereas other stem cells differentiate to only one group of cells type.
Totipotent stem cells aren't differentiated in the slightest degree. As a result it will develop into any types of cells or even a complete organism. The single cell of the fertilized egg is totipotent.
Pluripotent stem cells are just like totipotent stem cells in their ability to differentiate, however they cannot form a whole organism. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are artificially made in the laboratory using cells of adult human including those of the fat, skin and fibroblast tissues. After being reprogrammed genetically, iPS cells behave like embryonic stem cells.
Multipotent stem cells can give rise to specialized cells of a specific cell type. As an example, the haemopoietic stem cell can solely differentiate to a limited type of blood cells such as red blood cell and white blood cells. An exception is a multipotent stem cell known as a mesenchymal stem cell which can generate a number of cell types such as cells of the muscle, bone and fat.
And finally, unipotent stem cells can only develop their own type of cells. The unipotent stem cells within our skin ceaselessly regenerate and differentiate into new skin.
SOURCES OF STEM CELLS
Basically, stem cells are found in adult humans or within the embryo. The former are referred as adult stem cells, but this term might be misleading because they include stem cells derived from infants and umbilical cord blood. Found in several tissues, the adult stem cells play a vital role particularly when cells are destroyed due to injury, among others. Adult stem cells in the intestines, bones and skins can exclusively generate cells of the same kind. Thus far, adult stems cells are not found in every tissue.
The embryonic stem cells, as its name implies, is found the inner mass of the blastocyst- the very early stage of the embryo. They have the flexibility to differentiate into about 200 cells types found in adult humans.
TYPES OF STEM CELLS
Stem cells are classified based on their potency-the ability of specific stem cells to differentiate into different types of cells. Some stem cells are capable of forming into any types of cells, whereas other stem cells differentiate to only one group of cells type.
Totipotent stem cells aren't differentiated in the slightest degree. As a result it will develop into any types of cells or even a complete organism. The single cell of the fertilized egg is totipotent.
Pluripotent stem cells are just like totipotent stem cells in their ability to differentiate, however they cannot form a whole organism. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are artificially made in the laboratory using cells of adult human including those of the fat, skin and fibroblast tissues. After being reprogrammed genetically, iPS cells behave like embryonic stem cells.
Multipotent stem cells can give rise to specialized cells of a specific cell type. As an example, the haemopoietic stem cell can solely differentiate to a limited type of blood cells such as red blood cell and white blood cells. An exception is a multipotent stem cell known as a mesenchymal stem cell which can generate a number of cell types such as cells of the muscle, bone and fat.
And finally, unipotent stem cells can only develop their own type of cells. The unipotent stem cells within our skin ceaselessly regenerate and differentiate into new skin.