Question

Why do scientists want to use stem cell lines?

Answer 1

Before entering the discussion of why scientists prefer stem cells rather than the normal cells for their experimental and research purposes, it is better for us to clearly get the concept of stem cells. The stem cells are actually an undifferentiated mass of cells that are capable of giving rise to more such cells indefinitely and from these cells the various kinds of cells arise by differentiation.

Complete answer:
As per the definition stated above, the stem cells are therefore cells which have no specific identity, i.e., that is you can’t distinguish between two such cells that this cell is an epithelial cell or connective tissue cell, or any other distinct cell type.
But this type of cell can develop into any kind of cell by cell differentiation process. This property of a stem cell is known as totipotency and such cells are known as totipotency.
Scientists nowadays prefer stem cell lines for their experiments as they can isolate or rather induce the stem cells that get modified into a certain kind of cell like a skin cell or a neuron cell. Also, the stem cells are capable of dividing indefinitely. So, a large number of cells can be prepared. The mature and the older cells are often difficult to isolate and harder to grow. Moreover, some of these mature cells may contain mutations and chromosomal abnormalities.
The term ‘stem line’ actually means that a pack of such stem cells develop into a special type of cells. Some lines may develop into heart cells, others into neurons, and yet others into liver cells etc.
Each of these stem cell lines is genetically distinct. Thus, each stem line behaves differently in the laboratory.

Note:
An important point to note here is that the majority of the stem cell lines are not considered good for experimental purposes. The choice of stem cell line depends on various factors. Some scientists believe that it is better to work on older cell lines as stem cell lines are rather unpredicted.
There is research going on stem cells to convert them into pluripotent cells. The pluripotent cells and the totipotent cells differ in only a major fact that the pluripotent cells are somewhat less capable of differentiation and division than the totipotent cells. The pluripotent cells are developed from the totipotent cells. The pluripotent cells are thus more predictive and better to work on than the totipotent cells.