Listen&Learn: Stem cells

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock

Learn about the cells that could be revolutionary for medical treatments.

Pre-listening vocabulary

• cell: the smallest unit of life, which all living things are made up of
• specialized: specific; serving a certain purpose
• embryo: a developing being in a womb, egg, or plant seed
• tissue: a group of similar cells that have a specific function
• regenerate: to repair or restore something damaged or lost
• transplant: an organ that is taken from a donor and given to a patient who needs it

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

A stem cell is a type of cell that can divide into more specialised cells during reproduction. There are two different types of human stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which are found in the tissue of embryos, and adult stem cells, which are found in fully developed humans. The main difference is that embryonic stem cells can become any kind of cell, but stem cells can only become cells for certain types of tissue. In recent years, doctors and have become very interested in the medical uses of human stem cells. Stem cells could be used to treat illnesses such as , and regenerate tissue in organs that would otherwise require a transplant. Research has even shown that it is possible to genetically modify adult stem cells to like embryonic stem cells, which would make it much easier to grow any kind of tissue.

Comprehension questions

1. Embryonic stem cells can divide into

any kind of cell

cells within certain tissues

only other stem cells

Correct! Wrong!

Embryonic stem cells can divide into any kind of cell.

2. Stem cells could be used to

cure the common cold

treat cancer

help coma patients

Correct! Wrong!

Stem cells could be used to treat cancer.

3. Research has shown that adult stem cells can be

mass produced for treatments

modified to behave like embryonic cells

used on all patients

Correct! Wrong!

Research has shown that adult stem cells can be modified to behave like embryonic cells.

Discussion/essay questions

1. Stem cell research is a bit of a controversial topic in some places. Why do you think there is so much debate about it?

Transcript

A stem cell is a basic type of cell that can divide into more specialized cells during reproduction. There are two different types of human stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which are found in the tissue of embryos, and adult stem cells, which are found in fully developed humans. The main difference is that embryonic stem cells can become any kind of cell, but adult stem cells can only become cells for certain types of tissue. In recent years, doctors and researchers have become very interested in the medical uses of human stem cells. Stem cells could be used to treat illnesses such as cancer, and regenerate tissue in organs that would otherwise require a transplant. Research has even shown that it is possible to genetically modify adult stem cells to behave like embryonic stem cells, which would make it much easier to grow any kind of tissue.

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub

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14 comments

• Luis says:
  

  Correction from yesterday writing about this topic.

   Scientific and researchers have been dedicated to find an easy way for us to show the secrets of science to illustrate their knowledge helping people understand the cell behavior from embryos and adult stem cells that mean, we would have an opportunity to find a treatment to several unknown illness. Good news!   We hope to have good health for the near future for developing human beings.

• Luis Humberto JIMÉNEZ MEDINA says:
  

  Scientifics and researchers have been dedicated to find an easy way for us to show us the secrets of science in order to illustrate their knowledge helping people to understand the cell behavior from embryos and adult stem cells that means, we would have an opportunity to find a treatment to several unknown illness. Good news! We might be hope to have good health for the near future for developing human being

• Mari Carmen fuentea says:
  

  through cells regenerate our organs.
  scientists will finally see the miracle of science.

• Wander says:
  

  This is a very controversial topic
  in medicine, but it’s always interesting to read about it.

• Shahriyar says:
  

  Great, i love this page very interesting

• Agustín i says:
  

  Interesting reading.Thanks

• Ana Garcia says:
  

  funny and usefull. I like it!!!

• Hiếu Thảo says:
  

  i love this page . it’s so useful for me.

• Marianella Durán says:
  

  Good for learning!

• Cindy Chan says:
  

  Good to learn about type of stem cells to find out the different. Great. Much appreciated.

• Mehmet Alkan says:
  

  If you don’t make your homework today,ıt can be an enemy for tomorrow to you.

• Mehmet Alkan says:
  

  Time is very expensive good and we should use ıt very carefully

• The King Of Love From IRAN says:
  

  Thank you,

• Christine PENNEC says:
  

  Great, very interesting.