Complete the following conceptual picture and write its uses in treatment of various diseases :[Concept map: ‘Uses of stem cells’ in the centre box with three empty boxes joined to it — two on the upper sides and one below.]

Answer: The three uses are (1) treatment of blood diseases such as leukaemia and thalassemia, (2) treatment of diabetes and other organ/tissue diseases, and (3) regeneration of skin in burns and of damaged tissues and organs.

Stem cells are unspecialised cells which can divide and develop into different types of specialised cells.

• Bone marrow and cord blood stem cells are used in bone marrow transplantation to treat leukaemia, thalassemia and aplastic anaemia.
• They are used to grow new skin for burn patients and new cartilage, bone and heart muscle.
• Research is going on to use them in diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury and in growing organs for transplantation.