Producing+Stem+Cells

Have two important properties:
 * Stem Cells** by Sterling Feeser and Kyle Cote
 * Unspecialized cells by themselves
 * Under certain conditions in a particular area, they take form of different specialized cells in one or more types



The human body has multiple types of stem cells which replace nonreproducing specialized cells when needed (i.e. bone marrow) Certain stem cells can create multiple cell types, and are called multipotent, or **pluripotent** (as seen in the diagram above)

Scientists are researching ways to harvest stem cells and force them to turn into specific cells to aid in the treatment and recovery of different illnesses. The easiest cells to grow are embryonic stem cells which can grow into any type of cell, they are referred to as "immortal" because the reproduce indefinitely by using telomerase to maintain their chromosomal telomeres.

The hope is that eventually scientists will be able to utilize stem cells to regrow diseased and damaged organs. The trouble is that the source of embryonic stem cells is primarily from surplus embryos by patients undergoing fertility treatments and is therefore controversial.

Until 1998 it was believed that you were born with all of the brain cells you would ever have, however it was discovered by Fred Gage and Peter Ericksson that the human brain does in fact create new nerve cells in adulthood. Mature brain cells cannot undergo cell division because of their extensive processes and connections to other cells, this led the team to their conclusion that the brain must contain stem cells that are actively reproducing.

Image Sources: http://theblackcordelias.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/stem-cells.jpg, http://www.herdaily.com/blogimg/health/Adult%20Stem%20Cells.jpg