Final answer:
Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can divide indefinitely and indefinitely into specialized cells, playing a key role in cell-based therapies for diseases. Differentiation is guided by transcription factors that determine cell-specific gene expression. While embryonic stem cells have ethical and immunological concerns, induced pluripotent stem cells offer a promising alternative.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stem Cells and Differentiation
Stem cells and differentiation are intimately related in the world of biology. Stem cells are unspecialized cells with the remarkable potential to divide indefinitely and indefinitely into specialized cells. These processes are crucial for generating the diverse cell types that make up an organism. Cell differentiation is the journey of a cell from an unspecialized to a specialized state, in which it gains distinct structures and functions. This is achieved through the action of transcription factors, determining the genes that get expressed, and thereby the cell's characteristics.
Stem cells have immense therapeutic value owing to their potential to replace damaged tissues and treat diseases such as diabetes and heart disease through cell-based therapy. However, there are significant obstacles in the application of such therapies, including immune rejection of embryonic stem cells and ethical concerns associated with their use. In contrast, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have emerged as a promising alternative because they avoid many of these issues by reprogramming adult cells to function like embryonic stem cells.
Different categories of stem cells, like embryonic, adult, and iPSCs, have varying differentiation potentials and are pivotal for biomedical research and potential future treatments. Adult stem cells are not typically rejected by the immune system but have a limited differentiation range. Banking cord blood or deciduous teeth can provide multipotent stem cells for future therapies, harnessing the person's unique genetic material, while avoiding rejection.