1. Stem cells Are unspecialized, jobless cells In the lab, under the right conditions, scientists can manipulate stem cells to be come any cell type. Stem cell have the ability to repair/heal any damaged, worn, or diseased cell. Embryonic stem cells have the ability to become any cell type Adult stem cells (small supply) do not have as many abilities as embryonic stem cells

2. History of stem cell harvesting Scientists used to collect stem cells from embryos by killing them Embryos are one of the earlier stages of human development The supreme court outlawed killing embryos in the late 1990s. Scientists now collect stem cells from umbilical cord blood and bone marrow

3. How stem cells become specialized The stem cells receive cues (instructions) from the DNA inside of the nucleus The nucleus tells stem cells what cell type to become The process by which stem cells become specialized (get a job) is differentiation There are many types of specialized cells. We will discuss 6

4. Types of Specialized Cells Red blood cells White blood cells (leukocytes) Sperm Ovum Nerve cell (neurons) Muscle cells

5. Muscle Cell Striated (striped) Used for movement. Have lots of mitochondria. Why??

6. Red blood cells Transport oxygen to the body

7. White blood cells (leukocytes) fight infections and protect the body from disease/sickness White blood cells (For Immunity)

8. Nerve Cell (neurons)-sending signals cell-to-cell communcation

9. Stem Cell-these unspecialized cells have the ability to develop in to any cell type. They can cure any disease

10. Eggs/Ovum for (fertilization) Eggs (ovum) are the reproductive cell in women

11. Sperm cell-fertilization Male reproductive cell in men.