stem cell

American  

noun

Cell Biology.

1. a cell that upon division replaces its own numbers and also gives rise to cells that differentiate further into one or more specialized types, as various B cells and T cells.

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stem cell British  

noun

1. histology an undifferentiated cell that gives rise to specialized cells, such as blood cells

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stem cell Scientific  

1. An unspecialized cell found in fetuses, embryos, and some adult body tissues that has the potential to develop into specialized cells or divide into other stem cells. Stem cells from fetuses or embryos can develop into any type of differentiated cells, while those found in mature tissues develop only into specific cells. Stem cells can potentially be used to replace tissue damaged or destroyed by disease or injury, but the use of embryonic stem cells for this purpose is controversial.

2. Also called progenitor cell

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stem cell Cultural  

1. A cell from which a variety of other cells can develop through the process of cellular differentiation. Stem cells can produce only a certain group of cells (as with skin stem cells) or any cell in the body (as with embryonic stem cells).

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A major controversy involves the question of whether nonembryonic stem cells should be used for medical purposes.

Etymology

Origin of stem cell

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

How do embryonic stem cells become brain cells, and which genes make that transformation possible?

From Science Daily

To overcome these challenges, scientists have turned to organoids, which are three dimensional structures grown from stem cells that resemble real organs.

From Science Daily

Doctors would collect a patient's blood stem cells, which produce red blood cells.

From Science Daily

One major reason is that the stem cells responsible for producing blood and immune cells can accumulate genetic mutations over time, increasing the risk of cancer and other health problems.

From Science Daily

Other researchers are investigating whether transplanted stem cells could help regrow functional thymus tissue.

From Science Daily