Stem Cell Theory Of Aging Essay

The unique properties of stem cells are that they are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for a long time. This means they can multiply as many times as they want and grow into lots of different types of cells. They are also under certain physiologic and experimental conditions. They can produce tissue or organ-pacific cells with special functions. There are three classifications of stem cells. There are Totipotent, Pluripotent and Multipotent. Each one of these classifies stem cells in a certain way. Totipotent cells can change into all cells types, Pluripotent cells can change into most cell types and Multipotent cells can change into certain cell types. There are two major types of stem cells, Embryonic and Adult. Although they are both major types of stem cells they are very different from each other. Embryonic stem cells can change into all types of cells and Adult stem cells can change only into certain types of cells. Embryonic stem cells are classified as Totipotent and Pluripotent. Adult stem cells are classified as Multipotent. Another reason why Embryonic and Adult stem cells are different is because they have

The first type of stem cell, an embryonic stem cell, is known for being able to continuously multiply, as well as for being pluripotent. They can be “derived in vitro from the blastocyst of an embryo usually left over from in vitro fertilization” (Forraz & McGuckin, 2011, p.61). Unlike other types of stem cells, embryonic stem cells have yet to be used in any kind of clinical treatment of patients. The high risks of “immune rejection” or “teratoma formation” are serious obstacles (Harris, 2009, p.182). The second type of stem cell, adult stem cells, is primarily considered to be multipotent and may be found in “specific adult human tissues” such as the skin or bone marrow, just to name a few. Over the last twenty years, the amount of scientific research and trials using adult stem cells has grown significantly, despite their lower potency than embryonic stem cells (Forraz & McGuckin, 2011, p.61). Lastly, cord blood stem cells, are technically considered to be a special type of adult stem cell, but their youthful properties give them “greater restorative and regenerative potential.” Directly following the birth of a child, these stem cells can be collected from the blood in the umbilical cord (Steenblock & Payne, 2006, p.9). Embryonic, adult, and cord blood stem cells

The elderly population is growing rapidly and now makes up greater than thirteen percent of the United States population. (APA, 1994). With such a record growth, there are different aspects to aging that are still being analyzed. Many may think of reaching late life as a rite of passage, but many face this time with a different view. Through the movie "UP', we are granted an opportunity into view the struggles of an elderly widowed man by the name of Mr. Fredrickson and the challenges in which he faces in his later life. The movie, takes one on a journey through his sorrows and his triumphs until he realizes what the true meaning of happiness is.

The changes that occur in the niche are more important than in stem cells themselves when it comes to the failure of stem cell activity with aging. (Fowler, 2012)

Adult stem cells, like embryonic stem cells, have the ability to differentiate into several more specialized cell types, but the potential number of cell types is far smaller than that of an embryonic stem cell. Embryonic stem cells, by nature, eventually turn into every type of cell in the body, whereas adult stem cells will only turn into a few cell types. For example, a blood stem cell, one type of adult stem cell, will eventually turn into one of eight types of specialized blood cells (Jordan 116.3).

Stem cells are cells with the potential to become any type of cell in the body. There are two different types of stem cells: adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are very valuable and are used mainly to treat blood diseases, but sometimes adult stem cells from the brain are used to treat neurological diseases. Adult stem cells can also be difficult to recognize in the adult body. Embryonic stem cells are more flexible than adult stem cells and can be used for a bigger variety of diseases (California’s Stem Cell Agency,2011). Some people do not believe in the use of embryonic stem cells, because they believe they are killing future life. Despite the controversy over how stem cells are gathered, stem cells have undeniable

In order to better understand aging-associated diseases, it is first necessary to define what aging is. Aging is a complex, multifactorial process of harmful mutations in cells and tissues that are accumulated over time and result in an increased risk of disease and, eventually, death (Tosato, Zamboni, Ferrini, & Cesari, 2007, p. 401). Contrary to the belief that aging can be cured through medical advances, it is scientifically accepted that, while human life expectancy has increased, the human life span has remained largely unchanged for the past 100,000 years (Tosato et al., p. 401). Therefore, future developments in aging research ought to focus on addressing treatment and prevention of major aging-associated diseases that will

“The unspecialized cells are differentiated cells created are known as stem cells” (Miller Ph.D., Levine Ph.D., 2012). Embryonic and Adult stem cells are the only types of stem cells. Stem cell research shows a good deal of promise in the aiding of curing diseases. Both embryonic and adult stem cells show promise in curing diseases, but it is unclear which type of stem cell is more effective.

Embryonic Stem Cells are the future of curing life threatening diseases. Research on Embryonic Stem Cells could be the future of medicine. If more funding and availability of embryonic stem cells was provided for research advancements could be made faster and more lives could be saved. Stem cells are cells that do not have a designated purpose when they are created. Stem cells are able to reproduce and divide for long periods of time. Stem cells can repair and regenerate organs and tissues in ways no other cells can. Embryonic stem cells are stem cells that come from embryos and have no designated purpose. Adult stem cells are stem cells that are produced in organs and tissues with a primary purpose of repair the organ or tissue it was

For years, scientists and doctors have been looking for ways to prolong human life. Medicine has evolved over the years; surgeries have become less invasive and treatments have become more effective for diseases such as Smallpox, Malaria, and Measles all of which have been nearly eradicated. Recently, scientists are confident they have found a way to provide an effective treatment for diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's. Additionally, they believe they have found a way to reverse the effects of paralysis caused by serious injuries. For this essay, stem cells can be defined as undifferentiated cells in the human body that can transform into any type of cell. There are two types of stem cells that have been researched by scientists, adult stem cells,

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to become many different cell types by the process of mitosis and differentiation. Due to this unique property, many scientists are keen to researching and working with these cells. Furthermore, Stem cell is one of the most potential gates to curing diseases and developing new technologies.

Stem cells have a plethora of side effects that over powers the benefits. The ability to differentiate is known as plasticity, and it is thought to only be at its greatest in embryonic stem cells. In order for the embryonic cells to be of use they must be fertilized, after which, the stem cell is removed, destroying the embryo. Stem cells can be used in adults; however it is believed through the consensus of the medical community that the plasticity of embryonic stem cells is not even closely matched by those of adult stem cells. The general idea is that “adult stem cells have a limited capacity to differentiate (Solter 8).” Adult stem cells are already stuck in their ways, which makes it useless, in a way. They can only reproduce the same cell type that they originate from. Thus, despite the prospecting medical leaps that this technology can provide, the process of how to obtain the embryonic stem cells overwhelms the benefits by far.

Stem cells are of high interest due to the fact that, unlike other types of cells, they are able to multiply into a variety of different specialized cell types (Panno, 2010, p. xiv). When a stem cell divides, that newly created stem cell can either remain as is, or it can develop into a specific type of cell with a particular function (“Stem Cell Basics,” 2002). Stem cells can also regenerate indefinitely, and will continue to divide even in a laboratory environment, without sacrificing their distinctive characteristics (Bellomo, 2006, p. 7). These unique features have proven to be quite valuable, and the prospect of curing serious diseases through stem cell manipulation is predicted to be on the horizon (Panno, 2010, p. xv).

The phrase “stem cell” calls to mind images of controversy: Pro-life picketers outside abortion and in-vitro fertilization clinics, patients with chronic disabilities waiting on a cure, scientists in a lab experimenting with a petri dish. These cells offer unimaginable opportunities for regenerative medicine because they can retain the ability to differentiate. Stem cells are classified as either adult or embryonic. Embryonic stem cells can

It later became clear that stem cells are essential for keeping tissues vital. When tissues are damaged, stem cells move in and produce new cells to replace the dying ones. As people get older, their stem cells gradually falter. In the 2000s it was found that the stem cells were not dying off in aging tissues, but in fact thriving there, yet were not receiving the correct signals to operate. It was observed in the trials that the elder mice were once more youthful, while the attached younger mice were effectively growing old,