STEM CELLS Meaning and
Definition
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Stem cells are defined as undifferentiated cells that have the unique ability to develop into various specialized cell types within the body. These cells are characterized by their remarkable potential to self-renew through cell division and differentiate into specific cell types as needed. Stem cells play a pivotal role in shaping the development and growth of living organisms, and they are crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and repairing damaged or aging tissues.
There are two main types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells, derived from early-stage embryos, have the highest potential for differentiation and can form any cell type in the body. On the other hand, adult stem cells are tissue-specific and can only give rise to certain cell types related to the tissue they reside in.
Stem cells offer great promise in the field of regenerative medicine and hold the potential for treating a wide range of diseases and injuries. They can be sourced from various tissues, including bone marrow, blood, fat, and even specific organs. Stem cell-based therapies aim to replace or repair damaged cells and tissues by using the capacity of stem cells to regenerate and differentiate into the desired cell types.
While the use of stem cells brings significant therapeutic potential, it also raises ethical considerations due to the derivation of embryonic stem cells from early-stage embryos. However, ongoing research and advancements in alternative sources of stem cells, such as induced pluripotent stem cells, aim to overcome these ethical concerns and harness the transformative power of stem cells for medical breakthroughs.
Top Common Misspellings for STEM CELLS *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for STEM CELLS
- atem cells
- ztem cells
- xtem cells
- dtem cells
- etem cells
- wtem cells
- srem cells
- sfem cells
- sgem cells
- syem cells
- s6em cells
- s5em cells
- stwm cells
- stsm cells
- stdm cells
- strm cells
- st4m cells
- st3m cells
- sten cells
Etymology of STEM CELLS
The word "Stem Cells" has its origin in the botanical field where "stem" refers to the main structural part of a plant that supports leaves, flowers, and fruits. Stem cells, in a similar sense, are a type of undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into various specialized cell types. The term "stem cell" was first used in 1868 by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel in his work "Generelle Morphologie der Organismen" (General Morphology of Organisms) to describe the cells responsible for generating new cells in plants and animals. The word "stem" in this context represents the basic origin or source from which different cells arise. Over time, the term "stem cells" gained popularity and expanded to include various types of cells with self-renewal and differentiation capabilities.
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