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Home > Science > What is the Difference Between Embryonic and Somatic Stem Cells?

Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Embryonic and Somatic Stem Cells?

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Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and somatic stem cells, also known as adult stem cells, are two types of stem cells with distinct differences:

  1. Origin: ESCs are derived from the embryo, specifically from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, which is an early-stage embryo created during in vitro fertilization. Somatic stem cells, on the other hand, are found in various organs or tissues of the body.
  2. Pluripotency vs. Multipotency: ESCs are pluripotent, meaning they have the potential to differentiate into all the different cell types of the body. Somatic stem cells are multipotent, meaning they can self-renew and yield the differentiated cell types comprising the organ or tissue they are found in, but they are restricted in the types of cells they can produce.
  3. Potential Applications: ESCs have the potential to serve as donor cells for tissue transplants due to their ability to differentiate into multiple cell types. Somatic stem cells play a crucial role in maintaining and repairing the organ or tissue they are found in.
  4. Ethical Considerations: The use of ESCs is often debated due to the source of the cells, which are derived from embryos. Somatic stem cells do not pose the same ethical concerns, as they are derived from adult tissues or cord blood.

In summary, embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos and have the potential to differentiate into all cell types, while somatic stem cells are found in adult tissues and are restricted in the types of cells they can produce. Each type of stem cell has different potential applications and raises different ethical considerations.

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  • What is the Difference Between Embryonic and Somatic Stem Cells?
  • Comparative Table: Embryonic vs Somatic Stem Cells

    • Comparative Table: Embryonic vs Somatic Stem Cells

    Here is a table comparing the differences between embryonic and somatic (adult) stem cells:

    Feature Embryonic Stem Cells Somatic (Adult) Stem Cells
    Origin Derived from embryos during the early blastocyst stage Found in differentiated organs and tissues of fully-grown adults
    Potency Pluripotent, meaning they can differentiate into any type of cell in the body Multipotent, meaning they can develop into more than one cell type, but are more limited than pluripotent cells
    Totipotency Can give rise to all cell types in the body, including extraembryonic (placental) cells, and possess the full potential to become a viable offspring Less totipotent than embryonic stem cells, as they can only give rise to cells of the tissue from which they are derived
    Mutation Frequency and Type Less frequent mutations compared to somatic cells, with a predominant mechanism of mutation being uniparental disomy (UPD) rather than loss of heterozygosity (LOH) More frequent mutations compared to embryonic stem cells
    Applications Have the potential to treat various injuries and diseases due to their ability to differentiate into multiple cell types Mainly used for repairing and replacing damaged tissues in the area where they are located, and for drug development and developmental studies
    Ethical Concerns Raises ethical concerns due to the need to destroy an embryo to obtain the cells Minimal ethical concerns, as no embryo destruction is involved
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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.