What purpose do adult/tissue stem cells serve in the body?
The primary roles of adult/tissue stem cells in the body are to maintain and repair the tissues in which they are found. An example would be muscle stem cells that replace damaged muscle cells. Blood from the placenta and umbilical cord, also considered adult/tissue stem cells, that is left over after birth is also considered to be a rich source of blood-forming stem cells. These so-called umbilical cord stem cells have been shown to be able to differentiate into bone cells as well as the cells lining the inside of blood vessels.
