Embryonic stem cells vs Adult Stem Cells

By Konstantina Bilali Panagiotidou - July 24, 2019

Embryonic stem cells in vitro

Embryonic stem cells are the foundation stones of our body

Up to the fourth day of its creation,  the embryo is comprised of  the  Tootothent Stem Cells. These stem cells  are the primal cells resulting from the first divisions after fertilization. They can be differentiated into any body cells and create a complete different living organism. Because of this ability of theirs, a lot of research has been done on these cells, in the hope to find the cure for many diseases.  Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much success.
 The embryo in the fifth day of it's creation is  comprised of one hundred cells. Thirty of those are still stem cells, but they are a different type. They are called Pluripotent stem cells and they will  evolve into any body tissue and differentiate into a wide number of different types of cells the body. Those embryonic stem cells will decrease as the development of the embryo matures.


Stem cells can also be found in adults. They are located in various tissues, such as the skin, the heart and the brain where their role is  to renew and regenerate damaged tissues. Essentially, they are important for the development, healing and replacement of damaged cells. Adult stem cells, however, differentiate in cells of the tissues in which they are already located , but not in any type of tissue, like the embryonic stem cells can. For example, stem cells which are located in the brain, will regenerate brain cells, the ones that are located in the liver, restore liver damage.

More differences between embryonic and adult stem cells

 Embryonic stem cells :
  •          Can diferentiate into any other cell  
  •      Create embryos (Tootothent Stem Cells) 
  •         Might create tumours and unwanted immune response  
  •    Researchers have been focusing on their therapeutic potential such as the treatment of diabetes and heart disease. This process has raised ethical issues


 Adult stem cells :
  •  Can differentiate into any other cell 
  •  Migrate to the affected area and contribute to healing 
  •   Are not rejected from the organism
  •   Replace ailing or dead cells in the damaged area        
  •  Have already been used for creating organs to be transplanted 
  •   They don't create tumors

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