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Stem Cells
Doctors take bone marrow from the donor's hip bone.

Stem Cells

This Biology quiz is called 'Stem Cells' and it has been written by teachers to help you if you are studying the subject at middle school. Playing educational quizzes is a fabulous way to learn if you are in the 6th, 7th or 8th grade - aged 11 to 14.

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Stem cells are one of the major discoveries of modern science. They have the ability to become any other type of cell and could be used to repair damaged organs or in the treatment of disease. This middle school Biology quiz looks more closely at stem cells and how we can use them. It also asks some ethical questions about their use.

Each cell in your body has a specific shape and a specific job to do - we say they are specialised. This all happened whilst you were an embryo and specialized cells cannot later change to become a different type - muscles cells will always be muscle cells; epithelial cells will always be epithelial cells and so on, although cutting-edge research now suggests that this may not be the case.

But there are some cells which are unspecialised - these are called stem cells and they have the ability to become any type of cell. When they were discovered, there was a lot of excitement in the medical community because using stem cells could lead to some incredible treatments. Scientists researching them believe that they could possibly be used to repair damaged organs in the body like bones, cartilage and the heart. They could also be used to treat brain diseases like Parkinson's, to reverse paralysis or even regrow lost limbs. But it will be a long time until medical science reaches that stage; a lot of research is needed to find out how stem cells work, how to make them do what we want and to make sure that they will not just grow uncontrollably in the body. Human stem cells can be obtained from adult bone marrow or from growing embryos.

A big issue surrounding stem cells is therapeutic cloning. This is a theoretical process where you are cloned to produce an embryo. Stem cells are then extracted from this embryo and grown to produce the organ that you need. There would be no problem with your body rejecting the new tissues as they would be from your own cells anyway. For an exam, you could be asked to weigh up the pros and cons of therapeutic cloning and the use of stem cells, for example, one issue is, that during the process, some embryos could be destroyed. You will need to present your arguments using the scientific ideas that you have learned surrounding stem cells.

Stem cells could help us to repair damaged body parts. They might also be used in the treatment of previously incurable diseases. But is it ethical to use them? Try this quiz to refresh your knowledge of stem cells.

1.
A human stem cell can develop into what?
Some cells
Only nerve cells
Only ears
Any type of human cell
Once they have developed into a specialized cell, they will remain in that form
2.
Stem cells in adults can be found mainly in which location?
Blood
Heart
Bone marrow
Brain
Stem cells can be extracted from adult bone marrow
3.
Can stem cells can be grown in a lab?
No
Yes
Sometimes
Never
Stem cells can be grown in a special dish in a lab and can then be used in operations to replace parts of the body
4.
Stem cells can be removed from which stage of human development?
Egg
Sperm
Zygote
Embryo
Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells and can be used to treat some blood disorders in the brothers or sisters
5.
Some people object to stem cell research saying it is...
expensive
unethical
a waste of resources
against God
The ethical debate continues over the use of human embryos in research
6.
When a cell develops into its specialized cell type, what is it called?
Undifferentiated
Redifferentiated
Differentiated
Dedifferentiated
Stem cells become differentiated cells
7.
Stem cells could be used to cure paralysis. Which type of cell would they need to become?
Heart
Liver
Kidney
Nerve
Paralysis is usually caused by broken nerves or nerve disorders
8.
We can cure certain types of leukemia using cells from which part of the body?
The blood
The muscles
The bone marrow
The heart
Leukemia is a form of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Adult bone marrow contains stem cells that could be used in leukemia treatment
9.
Bone marrow can be provided by donors. Where do doctors take the bone marrow from?
Hip bone
Thigh bone
Arm bone
Neck vein
Donors can also receive injections to stimulate stem cells to appear in the blood which is removed through a vein. This is a newer procedure
10.
To avoid ethical issues concerning embryos in the future, stem cells may be taken from which source?
Mice
Prisoners
Umbilical cords
Blood
After birth, the human umbilical cord is expelled from the womb and then discarded
Author:  Donna Maria Davidson

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