Stem cells are special cells that can turn into many different cell types in the body such as heart muscle cells, brain cells, and skin cells.
There are two kinds of stem cells:
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Adult Stem Cells - a supply of stem cells that can multiply when needed to repair adult organs and tissue. Adult stem cells are found in the human body and in umbilical cord blood. The most well known source of adult stem cells in the body is bone marrow but they are also found in many organs and tissues; even in the blood. Adult stem cells are more specialized since they are assigned to a specific cell family such as blood cells, nerve cells, etc.
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Embryonic Stem Cells - cells found early (less than 2 wks.) in the development of an embryo that can progenerate a developing fetus and ultimately a human baby. Embryonic stem cells are the most versatile because they can become any cell in the body including fetal stem cells and adult stem cells.
