Organisms are complex systems that have the ability to generate complete organisms from few initial cells and, when they are adults, they have the ability to regenerate their tissues as careful machinery through signaling at the cellular level. How is it that this happens? In this ecology article, we will explain about What is a stem cell, its characteristics and what they are forsince they are responsible for completing the intricate processes to generate tissues. In addition, we will also talk about the applications that its study has.
What is a stem cell
The stem cell, or trunk cell, is a type of cell with the ability to generate mature cells more specialized than itto form tissues and organs with functional individuals. From these stem cells, all other cells are formed, Calls daughter cells. These are morphologically and functionally different from stem cells.
A stem cell can generate a large number of specialized cells, both in variety and number.
There are both embryonic and adult. The former are located only in embryos of six to eight days of age in humans and build a complete organism, and adults attend only in cases of damage to tissues or organs. In the image you can see an example of embryonic stem cell.
Where are stem cells?
In the case of adult stem cells, there are multiple types, so Each is located in different areas, according to the fabrics that will form. For example, bone marrow stem cells generate blood cells. There are also in the liver, where hepatocytes are formed, in the neuronal tissue to form neurons, or in the muscle, to name a few. As for embryonic stem cells, these are found within the internal cell mass of the embryonic blastocyst.
Features of the stem cell
Stem cells are unique to have Two key features:
- Potentiality: which means that stem cells can generate ripe cells of different origin, for example blood or muscle cells.
- Autrenovation: They can be divided and proliferated to generate other stem cells, indefinitely. Its telomeres are longer than already differentiated cells, an important characteristic in their division because cell aging is related to the shortening of telomeres.
As additional characteristics are:
- They have undifferentiation: They are not ripe cells and are without differentiating.
- They have low immunogenicity: that is to say that it does not generate an immune response as if it were an external agent.
- They have two types of division: symmetric and asymmetric. In the symmetrical two stem cells are generated from the division of an initial cell. Asymmetric generates from a stem cell a differentiated cell and another stem cell.
- They have mechanisms that protect the cell: They have high protection against external agents and have a detoxification system against toxic agents for the cell.
Perhaps this other post of ecology will also be interested in the types of stem cells that exist.
What are stem cells for
Stem cells serve To form multicellular adults From the embryo and that this can develop all the types of cells that it needs to form organs with specialized functions tissues.
The other function of stem cells is of vital importance in already developed organisms, for fabric repair. If it were not for the stem cells, the wounds would be lethal, as well as the internal deterioration of the organs. In the image we can see an example of the tissue regeneration process.
Importance of stem cells
There are two basic reasons that explain the importance of stem cells and their need. We find ourselves:
- His ability to form organisms fully developed from very few cells. Thanks to them, embryonic development can be completed.
- Allow the body to be in constant maintenance and repair.
In addition to the inherent activities carried out by these cells within organisms, there is a large application of stem cells.
Application of stem cells in biotechnology and medicine
These cells have greatly helped biotechnological research and their application in the medical field. With your study it has been better understood How cells work and How diseases develop. His study is carried out in vitro through its differentiation to create more cells and study from them their behavior and structure.
You can read this article that we suggest about what biotechnology is and what it is for to have more information on the subject.
Application of stem cells in cell therapy and tissue repair
Its application has been taken to cell therapy and for tissue repair in cases where there is very serious damage due to diseases and that external assistance is required, with Use of cell replacement. This is known as Regenerative medicineand are beginning to build stem cell banks to be used in clinical therapies.
The technology that has developed around these cells has led to consider and prospect the possibility of creating new organs To be used in transplants. There are ethical, political and religious limitations that are discussed today on whether it is correct or not generating artificial organs.
Some of the cases in which the use of stem cells are Parkinson, diabetes, cancer, bone problems, arthritis, heart disease, among others. For example, in cases of cancer they are used stem cells for antitumor therapies.
Have also been used as In vitro model to do clinical tests and thus avoid the use of models alive.
If you want to read more articles similar to Stem cell: what is, characteristics and what is it forwe recommend that you enter our biology category.
- López, J. (2004). CMother elulas: The mother of all cells. Helix Editorial: Madrid.
- Bodine, D. (2020). Stem Cell Available at: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/stem-celll
- Mata-Miranda, M., Vázquez-Peso, GJ, & Sánchez-Monroy, V. (2013). Generalities and applications of stem cells. Perinatology and human reproduction, 27 (3), 194-199.
