Slide 1

Stem Cells

Stem cells are immature body cells that act like "starter dough" because they can make identical copies of themselves. This keeps a constant supply of "starter" cells ready to mature within several distinct tissue layers--internal, middle, or external--in response to the body's needs. Stem cells mature within these layers, replacing aging or damaged cells in their respective body tissues. Once they mature, stem cells lose the ability to duplicate themselves.