Question Video: Suggesting How Stem Cells Can Be Used to Treat Diabetes Biology • First Year of Secondary School

Video Transcript

Type one diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body attacks and destroys the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. A person with type one diabetes will find it difficult to control their blood sugar levels without medical help. Which of the following best explains how stem cells can be used to treat someone with type one diabetes? (A) Undifferentiated stem cells can release enzymes to break down sugar in the bloodstream and decrease blood sugar levels. (B) Stem cells cannot be used to treat someone with type one diabetes. (C) Stem cells in the brain can be stimulated to produce insulin to regulate blood sugar. (D) Stem cells can be stimulated to differentiate into pancreatic cells and produce insulin.

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can be stimulated to differentiate into specific cell types like neurons or muscle cells. If cells are damaged or defective due to disease or trauma, stem cells can be stimulated to differentiate into replacement cells. In the case of type one diabetes, stem cells can be used to replace pancreatic cells that are destroyed as a result of the disease. Therefore, the correct answer is answer choice (D). Stem cells can be stimulated to differentiate into pancreatic cells and produce insulin.