Video Transcript
The diagram provided indicates some
of the ways in which stem cells can be used in medicine. Based on this diagram, which of the
following conclusions about using stem cells in medicine is incorrect? (A) Stem cells could be used to
replace damaged heart cells after a heart attack. (B) Stem cells could be used to
treat brain disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease. (C) Stem cells could be used to
produce an embryo via artificial reproduction, IVF. (D) Stem cells can be used to
replace cells in the pancreas that no longer produce insulin.
Stem cells are unspecialized cells
that can differentiate into specialized cell types. Some examples of specialized cell
types that stem cells can differentiate into include heart cells, neurons, and cells
of the pancreas. We can get stem cells from embryos,
and we call this type of stem cell pluripotent. Pluripotent stem cells have the
capacity to differentiate into any cell in our body. So in cases where our tissues are
damaged, due to a disease, for example, we can use stem cells to replace the damaged
tissue.
Now, let’s look over the answer
choices to determine which is not an example of how stem cells can be used in
medicine. Answer choice (A) is incorrect
because stem cells can be used to replace damaged heart cells after a heart
attack. Answer choice (B) is incorrect
because stem cells can be used to replace neurons to treat Parkinson’s disease. In answer choice (C), we cannot use
stem cells to produce embryos by IVF. IVF involves combining sperm and
egg cells outside the body to create embryos. Stem cells are not used in this
process, so this answer is correct.
However, let’s look at the
remaining answer choice before making our final decision. Answer choice (D) is incorrect
because stem cells can be used to replace pancreatic cells.
Therefore, the option that
represents an incorrect statement regarding the use of stem cells in medicine is
given by answer choice (C). Stem cells could be used to produce
an embryo via artificial reproduction, IVF.
