Stem cells: origin, potency, division and ethical problem

1. Classe III A
Ippolito Nievo
A.S 2015-2016
Enrico Bergamasco
Beatrice Bertolini
Francesca Fasan
Olimpia Fecchio
Tommaso Filippi
Ludovico Gioi
Stem cells

2. How long does a stem cell live?
•The lifespan of a cell
depends on the type of cell
we consider
•It ranges from a few days
(granulocytes) to 30 years
(bone cells)

3. How do stem cell reproduce?
ASYMMETRIC CELL DIVISION:SYMMETRIC CELL DIVISION:
Chromosomes in a cell nucleus
are separated into 2 identical
sets of chromosomes:
•2 identical daughter cells are
produced
2 daughter cells with different
cellular fates are produced:
•a copy of the original stem cell
•a specialized cell

4. How do we classify stem cells?
•Totipotency: give rise to entire
organism - first stage of life
(fertilized egg )
•Pluripotency: give rise to all
tissues - second stage of life
(blastocyst)
❑Embryo

5. How do we classify stem cells?
❑Adult
•Multipotency: replace died or
useless cells (blood, brain, bone)
•Unipotency: give rise to limited
range of cells (all tissues)

6. Why do they act as a reservoir?
•Specialized cells can no longer make copies of themselves
Replaced by stem cells

7. What’s the problem?
Pros
•It’s an investment for the
wellness of everybody
•It’s a potential life
•It’s not sure we will
succeed
Cons
• Costs are really high
• We could cure rare disease
• It’s a mass of cell
• Embryos used would be
dismissed
Ethical
problem
Economic
problem