What purpose do adult stem cells serve in the body?
The primary roles of adult stem cells in the body are to maintain and repair the tissues in which they are found. For example, when you injure your muscle, muscle stem cells would divide and form new muscle cells to replace damaged cells. Umbilical cord blood also contains adult stem cells and is a rich source of blood-forming stem cells. Additional umbilical cord stem cells may also be able to differentiate into bone cells as well as the cells lining the inside of blood vessels.
