Stem cell

A transplantation uses stem cells from a donor is called

• 1. Autologous transplant

• 1. Allogeneic transplant

• 1. Hematopoietic transplant

• 1. None of these

Adult stem cells are found only in bone marrow.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

There are stem cells throughout your body. They're not that easy to find, though. Even in bone marrow, a relatively rich source of stem cells, only about 1 in 10,000 cells -- or fewer -- is thought to be a stem cell. So yes, they're around. But think, needle in a haystack.

"Adult" stem cells are only found in grown-ups.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Adult stem cells are actually found in infants and children, as well as adults. The three main types of stem cells are adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs), which are ordinary cells (such as skin cells) that scientists have tweaked to act like embryonic stem cells.

What's so special about stem cells, anyway?

• They never die.

• They can make other types of cells

• They come from the brain stem.

Answer explanation

Stem cells are all about potential -- they could make new cells to replace damaged ones, for instance. Some stem cells can make more types of cells than others, but what they all have in common is that they can do more than make copies of themselves. That means they have possibilities that most cells in the body lack.

Risk of allogeneic stem cell transplantation

• Graft versus host disease

• Graft rejection

• Infection

• All of the above