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What are stem cells?
Differentiate into any one of
220 different specialised
cells in the body or...
Single cells that can
...replicate
themselves
Stem cells are often called master
cells. They form the foundation of your
entire body and act as building blocks
for the blood, immune system, tissue
and organs. They can replicate or
regenerate themselves and have the
ability to differentiate into any kind
of specialised cell in the body.
Types of stem cells and where they come from
Embryonic stem cells: These cells are created from the inner
cell of a blastocyst.
Blastocyst
150 cells
200 micrometers
Inner cell mass
Cells are collected and grown
on plates in a laboratory.
Cells from a person are genetically reprogrammed
in a laboratory.
The modified cells begin to gain the ability to self-renew and
differentiate in the same way as embryonic stem cells.
tissue stem cells
Tissue stem cells allow us to develop,
grow, heal and replace worn out cells.
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most tissues have tissue
stem cells.
they are important at all
stages of life.
iPS cells: (induced pluripotent stem cells)
