BRAINCAKEAdult Stem Cells
Adult stem cells, also called somatic stem cells, are undifferentiated cells found among the specialised cells of tissues and organs in children and adults. They are present in small numbers in places such as the bone marrow, skin, the lining of the gut, the liver and the brain.
Role in the body
Adult stem cells divide to replace cells that are worn out, damaged or die naturally. For example, stem cells in the bone marrow produce millions of new blood cells every second, and stem cells at the base of the gut lining replace its cells every few days.
Potency
Most adult stem cells are multipotent, so they can only form a limited range of cell types, usually those of the tissue they are found in. Some are unipotent.
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Key terms in this lesson
- sickle cell disease
- An inherited blood disorder in which a mutant allele of the haemoglobin gene causes red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped, impairing oxygen transport.
- transcription factor
- A protein that binds to DNA near a gene and helps or prevents RNA polymerase binding to the promoter, switching the gene on or off.
More in Gene Expression
- Early Stages of Development
- Stem Cells
- Embryonic Stem Cells
- Umbilical Cord Stem Cells
- Determination of Cell Type
- Evidence for Cell Determination
- Development of an Organism
- Epigenetic Control of Development
All 39 lessons in Gene Expression · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics