STEM CELL Definition & Meaning

stem cell

noun

Cell Biology.

a cell that upon division replaces its own numbers and also gives rise to cells that differentiate further into one or more specialized types, as various B cells and T cells.

stem cell

noun

histology an undifferentiated cell that gives rise to specialized cells, such as blood cells

stem cell

An unspecialized cell found in fetuses, embryos, and some adult body tissues that has the potential to develop into specialized cells or divide into other stem cells. Stem cells from fetuses or embryos can develop into any type of differentiated cells, while those found in mature tissues develop only into specific cells. Stem cells can potentially be used to replace tissue damaged or destroyed by disease or injury, but the use of embryonic stem cells for this purpose is controversial.
Also called progenitor cell

stem cell

A cell from which a variety of other cells can develop through the process of cellular differentiation . Stem cells can produce only a certain group of cells (as with skin stem cells) or any cell in the body (as with embryonic stem cells ).

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Notes

A major controversy involves the question of whether nonembryonic stem cells should be used for medical purposes.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of stem cell¹

First recorded in 1880–85

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But the type of mutation in stem cells was subtly different in:

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His eye saved, doctors are now planning to try and restore more of his eyesight through stem cell treatment.

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Bowing to religious and partisan ideologues in 2001, George W. Bush restricted embryonic stem cell research.

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Mr Joseph had been the focus of a campaign #TryForEllis to find a bone marrow donor, with "countless people" joining the stem cell register as a direct result, the club said.

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The mother of a three-month-old baby girl diagnosed with a rare blood disorder is urging people to sign the stem cell register in a bid to save her daughter's life.

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