Question

Stem cells are self-renewing, undifferentiated cells that divide by mitosis to produce specific body cell types. There are two broad types of stem cells, namely, adult and embryonic.
Which of the following is correct?

• A. An injury to the nerves of the spinal cord can always be corrected by adult stem cells.
• B. Embryonic stem cells cannot differentiate into adult nerve cells.
• C. Embryonic stem cells can potentially replace damaged nerve cells of the spinal cord.
• D. All the above statements are correct.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Embryonic stem cells can potentially replace damaged nerve cells of the spinal cord.

Embryonic stem cells are the stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they are able to grow (i.e. differentiate) into all derivatives of the three primary germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. These include each of the more than 220 cell types ( including nerve cells ) in the adult human body. Pluripotency distinguishes embryonic stem cells from adult stem cells, which are multipotent and can only produce a limited number of cell types.

So, the correct option is 'Embryonic stem cells can potentially replace damaged nerve cells of the spinal cord.'