Consider the following statements about stem cells : 1. Stem cells h

Consider the following statements about stem cells :

  • 1. Stem cells have the potential for self-renewal via mitotic cell division.
  • 2. In 1908, James Thomas and his colleagues first derived human embryonic stem cells from donated blastocysts through in vitro fertilization.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2024
The correct answer is A) 1 only.
Statement 1 is correct: Stem cells possess the unique ability to divide and renew themselves through mitotic cell division, maintaining the stem cell population. Statement 2 is incorrect: Human embryonic stem cells were first successfully derived in 1998 by James Thomson and his colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, not in 1908 by James Thomas.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can differentiate into specialized cell types and can self-renew. There are different types, including embryonic stem cells (derived from blastocysts) and adult stem cells (found in various tissues). Their discovery and potential applications in regenerative medicine are significant areas of research.