Name: Blake Swingle________________________________________Date:3-5-10
________________Period: 3rd_____
Part 2: Exploration of Stem Cells and Research
WebQuest – Stem Cells
CP Biology Unit 5
Using the resources provided, compete the following. Make sure you check multiple sources.
You can supplement your answers with diagrams as needed. You will use this as the basis for
writing your reflection paper in Part 3, so make sure your answers are clear and complete.
1. What are stem cells?
Stem cells are found in most cellular organisms. They have the ability to renew
themselves.
2. Define the following terms
a. Totipotent- it is the ability of a single cell to divide and produce all the
differentiated cells in an organism.
b. Pluripotent- is the ability of the human embryonic stem cell to differentiate or
become almost any cell in the body.
c. Plasticity- the ability of the brain to adapt.
d. Regenerative medicine- is the process of creating living, functional tissues to
repair or replace tissue or organ function lost due to age, disease, damage, or
congenital defects.
e. Proliferation- growth by the rapid multiplication of parts.
3. What is differentiation? Diagram an example of differentiation.
4. Describe how cells become differentiated or specialized.
Differentiated cells are specialized cells, which carry on specific functions. They have a
specific form, structure and function, which normally do not change.
5. Where do stem cells come from?
Come from other cells dividing and making new cells.
6. What is a stem cell line? How is one made?
A line of consistently dividing cells. One is made by multiple cells that keep dividing by one
another.
7. What are the different types of stem cells?
There are three main classes of stem cells: totipotent, multipotent, and pluripotent.
8. What are embryonic stem cells? What are the properties of embryonic stem cells? Are
pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastoyst .
9. What are adult stem cells? What are the properties of adult stem cells?
Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells, found throughout the body after embryonic
development. Adult stem cells has centered on their ability to divide or self-renew
indefinitely
10. What are the similarities and differences between adult and embryonic stem cells?
11. Why do scientists want to study stem cells/what are the benefits to studying them?
12. Why do embryonic stem cells hold promise (why are they so important)?
13. What are some potential uses of embryonic stem cells? (Give specific examples with
background as needed)
14. What are some potential uses of adult stem cells? (give specific examples with background
as needed)
15. Why use embryonic stem cells vs. using adult stem cells. What are the advantages and
disadvantages?
16. What are some of the issues surrounding the debate about stem cell research? Be sure to
include arguments for and against stem cell research. Ethical questions over the source of
stem cells. Although stem cells can be harvested from adults the most scientifically
beneficial cells come from embryos. This creates a scale, human life over scientific
breakthroughs or vice versa.
17. What three issues do you see as most important as stem cell research moves forward? One,
conservation of stem cells. Two, the source of stem cells. Third, the outcome of the ethic
tribulations in government.
18. What are 3 other facts in your search that you found interesting and why?