EQ #1: What are the different kinds of cells and how do they affect me?
What are Stem Cells?
Video: Gallery of cells/Immune cells in action
Examine the “Gallery of Cells” and watch the short video on “Immune Cells in Action”.
1. How do you think each of the cells that you viewed (epithelial cells, muscle, liver,
bone and neuron cells) become specialized to perform a specific task?
Video: The Embryo Takes shape
1. Consider the following question as you watch this video: If each cell has identical
DNA, how do you think a cell becomes specialized? Record your thoughts in the space
below.
2. What directs the sequence of events that turn a “blob”of cells into an embryo with
specialized tissues and organs?
3. How do cells in different parts of the embryo become different kinds of cells and
organs?
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4. What tells the cells which kinds of proteins to make?
5. What kinds of proteins are found in different cells and organs?
6. The narrator says that “cells talk to each
other”. What does that mean?
Reflecting
What is the relationship between DNA, genes, and the proteins that are produced in
cells?
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What are the different types of stem cells??
Click on the link “Stem Cell Quick Reference” on Mrs. Netland’s Teacher Page to find the following information:
Stem cell type
What are they?
Where do the come from?
Potential as
therapy
Special
Considerations
Ethical
Considerations
1. Embryonic
(ES)
2. Adult
(aka: somatic)
3. IP (induced
pluripotent)
4. Therapeutic
cloning (patient
specific ES)
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Uses of Stem Cells
Video: Stem Cell Breakthrough
1. Why are stem cells considered so valuable for medical research?
2. How are cells “transformed”?
3. What are IP stem cells? Where do they come from? Why are they so valuable?
Therapeutic Uses of Stem Cells
Click on the link with this title on Mrs. Netland’s Teacher Page
1. What is a stem cell?
2. What are 3 common characteristics of stem cells?
a. ____________________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________
3. Embryonic stem cells are totipotent. What does this mean?
4. Adult stem cells are multipotent. What does this mean?
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5. Chose 3 organs/tissues and for each:
 Describe a disease that can affect this area
 Explain how stems cells could help treat/cure this disease
 Put your information in a data table!!
Video: “Seeds of Hope”
1. How might stem cells be used to treat an injury like a spinal cord injury?
2. What issues surround the debate over government funding of stem cell research?
3. What issue do you think needs to be debated as we make decisions about stem cell
research? In your opinion, should stem cells be used? Why or why not?
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