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

[wp_quiz id=”19954″]

Discussion/essay questions

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.