STEM CELL LESSON

FIRST, TRY THIS:
Try the Stem Cell Interactive. What do you learn about stem cells? Try this activity until you make at least three types of cell.

SECOND TRY THIS:
Try this second Stem Cell Interactive. What do you learn about Stem Cells? Keep going until you have made two diffferent types of cells, and complete the lab coat quiz.

NOW, START ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS ON THE BACK OF YOUR STARTUP,
WHILE COMPLETING THESE ACTIVITIES:
Watch the Stem Cells: Seeds of Hope? video. Afterwards, explore the Stem Cell Debate Web activity.
CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:
A. Why are stem cells considered so valuable for medical research?
B. What are three sources of stem cells and the advantages and disadvantages associated with using each?
C. How might a stem cell be used to treat a disease such as diabetes?
D. What issues surround the debate over government funding of stem cell research?
E. What issue do you think needs to be debated as we make decisions about stem cell research?

Watch Immune Cells in Action
1. How are these cells specialized for their function?

Watch the The Embryo Takes Shape video.
2. CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:

A. What directs the sequence of events that turn a blob of cells into an embryo with specialized tissues and organs?

B. The narrator says that "cells talk to each other." What does that mean?

C. How do cells in different parts of the embryo become different kinds of cells and organs?

D.What kinds of proteins are found in different cells and organs?

E.What tells the cells which kinds of proteins to make?

F. What is the relationship between DNA, genes, and the proteins that are produced in cells?

3. Watch the Gene Control video.
CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:
What is the role of control genes?

What kinds of chemicals do you think the mother deposits on the egg?

How do you think they might "turn on" the control gene?

4. Watch the Genetic Tool Kit video.
CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:
A. What do homeobox genes code for in animals?

B. Why are homeobox (also called homeotic) genes called the master control genes, or master switches?

C. What other organisms besides fruit flies have homeobox genes?

D. What does the presence of homeobox genes in fruit flies and mice indicate about their evolution?

E. What does the presence of homeobox genes suggest about the evolution of different eyes in different organisms?

5. Watch the Stem Cells: Seeds of Hope? video. Afterwards, explore the Stem Cell Debate Web activity.
CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:
A. Why are stem cells considered so valuable for medical research?
B. What are three sources of stem cells and the advantages and disadvantages associated with using each?
C. How might a stem cell be used to treat a disease such as diabetes?
D. What issues surround the debate over government funding of stem cell research?
E. What issue do you think needs to be debated as we make decisions about stem cell research?