Which parts of the human body contain stem cells?

Answer 1

There are two kinds of stem cells: Embryonic and adult.

1. Embryonic stem cells are found in embryos.

An embryo develops from a fertilized egg, or zygote, and after about 4-5 days it reaches the stage where 50-150 cells are colonized. This means that one fertilized egg divides into 50-150 cells, which are considered embryonic stem cells. Also, they are totipotent, meaning that they can reproduce indefinitely, and can give rise to any type of cell.

2. Adult stem cells, or somatic stem cells, can be found in adult tissues throughout the human body. As adult stem cells are tissue specific, they are in the already developed tissues.

Some examples of where you can find stem cells in the human body:

Bone marrow= hematopoietic (blood) stem cells which differentiate into blood cells

endothelial stem cells = diff. into blood vessels (arteries, veins)

mesenchymal stem cells = diff. into bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, fibres

Cord blood= blood stem cells (similarly to bone marrow)

(Because of this similarity they might be considered as an alternative for bone marrow

transplant.)

fat = adipose stem cells, also similar to bone marrow, as they can

differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat, and muscle.

Stem cells exist also in human skin, mammary glands, placenta, lungs, and the brain (in which neural stem cells may or may not exist; it is up for debate).

The main function of adult stem cells is to replace damaged, or dying cells. They are pluripotent. Therefore, they too can reproduce indefinitely. However, while embryonic stem cells are able to develop into any kind of cell, adult stem cells are more limited.

Umbilical cord blood considered to contain "adult" stem cells, since they are not part of the embryo anymore.

The use of embryonic stem cells for research purposes is a highly debated question. However, research done on using adult stem cells is more widely accepted. Adult stem cells, found in bone marrow and in umbilical cord blood, are used routinely today.

Fortunately, pluripotent (adult stem cells) can be "reprogrammed", and, as a result, they could be regarded as equivalent to embryonic stem cells.

Just for an interest: deciduous baby teeth (milk teeth, which babies shed) can also be used as a source for adult stem cells.

Stem cells, with the ability to develop into different cell types, can be found not only in humans, but also in plants and animals.

Answer 2

There are two kinds of stem cells: Embryonic and adult.

1. Embryonic stem cells are found in embryos.

An embryo develops from a fertilized egg, or zygote, and after about 4-5 days it reaches the stage where 50-150 cells are colonized. This means that one fertilized egg divides into 50-150 cells, which are considered embryonic stem cells. Also, they are omnipotent, meaning that they can reproduce indefinitely, and can give rise to any type of cell.

2. Adult stem cells, or somatic stem cells, can be found in adult tissues throughout the human body. As adult stem cells are tissue specific, they are in the already developed tissues.

Answer 3

Stem cells are all over the body.

stem cells are not all over the body, hair for example is made of dead cells so you wouldn't find stem cells there. stem cells are mainly found in the blood of the umbilical cord of babies, the bone marrow, the tooth bud of the mandibular third molar and the skin.

Answer 4

Stem cells can be found in various parts of the human body, including bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord blood, and certain organs such as the brain and skin. Bone marrow is a common and abundant source of stem cells used in medical treatments, while other sources like adipose tissue are also being explored for their regenerative potential.

Answer 5

The bone marrow, blood, and umbilical cord... :)

Answer 6

bone marrow, blood, and umbilical cord

Answer 7

all the body but mainly in the nose